Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium The only combined zoo and aquarium in the Pacific Northwest. Experience the Pacific Northwest's only combined zoo and aquarium. Learn more at www.pdza.org.
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Experience unforgettable up-close encounters with a polar bear, sharks, tigers and more. Enjoy close encounters with animals and keepers. There's always something new to see and do and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is a facility of Metro Parks Tacoma.

04/01/2026

Laerke is diving into enrichment time with new pool toys, designed to spark natural behaviors like exploring, problem-solving, and play. 💙🐻‍❄️

📹: Animal care staff Dayna

Our cherry blossom tree is officially in bloom! 🌸
03/30/2026

Our cherry blossom tree is officially in bloom! 🌸

Sven is entering his ✨de-fluff era✨Arctic foxes shed their thick winter coat each spring, trading all that fluff for a s...
03/30/2026

Sven is entering his ✨de-fluff era✨

Arctic foxes shed their thick winter coat each spring, trading all that fluff for a shorter, darker summer look that helps them stay cool and camouflaged.

📸: Animal care staff Noelle

03/29/2026

Hudson is a certified snack-time professional! 💙

Muskoxen spend a big chunk of their day grazing, fueling up on grasses and browse to keep those massive bodies (and cozy coats) going strong. 💪

Say hello to Onion! We’re thrilled to welcome Onion, an 11-year-old harbor seal, from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Rescued ...
03/28/2026

Say hello to Onion! We’re thrilled to welcome Onion, an 11-year-old harbor seal, from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Rescued as a young pup off the coast of Massachusetts, Onion’s journey has been one of resilience. After being found stranded, he received expert care and, due to vision loss, was deemed non-releasable. Today, he’s thriving and ready to make a splash in his new home. Meet Onion this weekend! 💙

03/26/2026

At four months old, Bao is learning how to be an otter, one worm at a time! Snacking like this supports natural foraging behaviors, builds coordination, and keeps growing Bao mentally and physically engaged. 🐾

📹: Animal care Katie

Our giant Pacific octopus habitat has been thoughtfully reimagined, thanks to dedicated aquarium staff. The new space wa...
03/26/2026

Our giant Pacific octopus habitat has been thoughtfully reimagined, thanks to dedicated aquarium staff. The new space was designed to mirror the rocky, cave-filled environments of Puget Sound. Textured rockwork and hidden crevices provide Eve the octopus the choice to tuck away and rest, or engage with her surroundings and curious guests. Every element was designed with her wellbeing in mind.

03/24/2026

Say hello to Onion! We’re thrilled to welcome Onion, an 11-year-old harbor seal, from Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Rescued as a young pup off the coast of Massachusetts, Onion’s journey has been one of resilience. After being found stranded, he received expert care and, due to vision loss, was deemed non-releasable. Today, he’s thriving and ready to make a splash in his new home.

03/23/2026

On World Bear Day, our 5-year-old polar bear Laerke is making a splash! From playful swims to floating on her back with a massive stick. Enrichment like this helps keep Lærke active, engaged, and mentally stimulated. 🐻‍❄️

Laerke’s start in life was difficult, requiring intensive care after a medical emergency shortly after birth. Ongoing health issues meant she was hand-reared at the Detroit Zoo. Though she’s made progress, Laerke still has specific needs and receives personalized care daily.

📹: Animal care staff Russell

Parks Tacoma’s 2026 bond proposal would bring significant new investments to two of the region’s wildlife destinations: ...
03/23/2026

Parks Tacoma’s 2026 bond proposal would bring significant new investments to two of the region’s wildlife destinations: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. 🐾

If approved by voters on April 28, this bond would:
🐧 Reimagine and expand the penguin habitat at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, creating an immersive, accessible hub where guests can connect with penguins like never before
🦫 Renew the original beaver habitat at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, while adding space to support conservation efforts for Washington’s endangered western pond turtles
🌿 Enhance animal wellbeing, modernize care facilities, and create new opportunities for learning and connection

The proposed bond would fund more than 100 projects in at least 40 parks, community centers and zoos across Tacoma. The projects would all be started within the next six to eight years, without increasing the current park tax rate.

Seal-abrate Day of the Seal with two of our Rocky Shores stars, Riley and Qilak! 🦭Meet the duo:✨ Qilak (whose name means...
03/22/2026

Seal-abrate Day of the Seal with two of our Rocky Shores stars, Riley and Qilak! 🦭

Meet the duo:
✨ Qilak (whose name means “cloud”) is our calm, confident queen, easy to spot with her unique markings, including a white ring over her eye.
✨ Riley is our newer addition. She’s shy, sweet, and settling in beautifully with her sea lion and seal squad.

Rainy day outside, tropical vibes inside! 🌧️🌴Step into our Tropical Reef Aquarium and you’re instantly surrounded by vib...
03/19/2026

Rainy day outside, tropical vibes inside! 🌧️🌴
Step into our Tropical Reef Aquarium and you’re instantly surrounded by vibrant fish and warm waters, and no umbrella required. From colorful coral to mesmerizing sharks, it’s the perfect escape when the skies turn gray. Who else loves a little tropical getaway without leaving Tacoma?

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5400 North Pearl Street
Tacoma, WA
98407

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