Guests to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium can now see Pepper, the California sea lion born June 6, in the Rocky Shores seal and sea lion habitat. “Pepper made her public debut this morning and is fitting right in,” said Curator Jen DeGroot. “In recent weeks, she was gradually introduced to the other seals and […]
Point Defiance Zoo mourns loss of beloved elephant Suki
TACOMA, Wash. – Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium said goodbye to one of its oldest and most beloved residents yesterday (August 10, 2024). Suki, an elderly Asian elephant who came to Tacoma nearly three decades ago, was humanely euthanized yesterday after a steady decline in her health over the past few weeks. “We lost a […]
Eye-to-Eye Shark Dives Now On Sale at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
TACOMA, Wash. — Tickets for the popular Eye-to-Eye Shark Dives at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium are now on sale. The program returns on August 21. The experience allows guests to get eye-to-eye underwater with more sharks and fish than ever before in the newly remodeled Tropical Reef Aquarium’s Outer Reef habitat while discovering the delight and wonder of […]
Celebrate tigers, clouded leopards, and more at Wild Cat Weekend August 3-4
TACOMA, Wash.— Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is celebrating Sumatran tigers, clouded leopards, and more during Wild Cat Weekend, August 3-4, with family fun activities that highlight how to protect cats in the wild. Point Defiance Zoo is home to two Sumatran tigers: sisters Kali, 11, and Indah, 10. On both days, guests can talk […]
The Global Race to Save Tigers
When Asian Forest Sanctuary Assistant Curator Erin gives a tiger keeper chat at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, she often tells the crowd, “There are more people at the Zoo today than there are Sumatran tigers on the planet.” Sumatran tigers are vanishing from the wild at an astonishing pace. As few as 400 remain […]
New Animals Move into Tropical Reef Aquarium
Over 40 marine animal species joined the Tropical Reef Aquarium this month, adding to the roster of more than 130 species already living there! The new residents include four new blacktip reef sharks, a tasseled wobbegong shark, a grey reef shark, a black blotched ray, and dozens of tropical fish, including a spectacular humphead wrasse. There are […]
Summer Zoolympics
The 2024 Summer Olympics are starting this week, and our animals are joining in to show off their unique skills and talents. See who we think would win gold in the Zoolympics! Professional sports climbing is a newer sport in the Olympics. These goat kids were born experts at climbing and jumping to new heights. […]
Female Arctic Fox Joins Sven
Sven, the Arctic fox, has returned to exploring his habitat in the Arctic Tundra area of the zoo, now accompanied by a new female companion! One-year-old Freya joined Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in late spring. While construction was underway in their area, Sven and Freya have been acquainting themselves behind the scenes. According to […]
The votes are in: meet Pepper
Meet Pepper, a one-month-old sea lion pup at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Adoring fans voted online for her name, chosen from a slate of four names offered by keepers at the Tacoma zoo. Out of more than 10,500 votes, Pepper was a clear winner, with 31% of the vote, and the runner-ups were Rosa […]