POINT DEFIANCE ZOO AND AQUARIUM
It's A Jungle Out There!!
- Widely acknowledged as one of the world's most extraordinary aquarium and zoo exhibits; the second top attraction (after Mount Rainier) for visitors to Pierce County.
- Received a #1 rating from the Humane Cociety of the U.S.
- Rated one of the top five zoos in the nation by Modern Maturity Magazine.
- Ranked one of the top five zoos in the world by the British Broadcasting System for "Zoo 2000" series.
- Founded in 1890 and operated on a small scale until the 1960's when the 29-acre zoo added an aviary and relocated the aquarium to it's present site. In 1979 many areas were renovated, and in 1986 Penguin Point, the Discovery Reef Aquarium, and a new elephant barn were added.
- Organized around a Pacific Rim theme, with animals from the volcanic ("ring of fire") countries bordering the Pacific Ocean; over 5,000 animals, representing 350 species.
- Located in Point Defiance Park; open daily 10 AM to 7 PM from Memorial Day through Labor Day; 10 AM to 4 PM the rest of the year.
Attractions:
World of Adaptations: unique collection of 30 small mammals, birds, and reptiles, from aardvarks, porcupines, pythons, bats, Bali mynahs, golden lion tamarins, and black lemurs
Farm Zoo: one of the zoo's most popular areas for kids, where they can pet a llama, goat, sheep, pig, or rabbit
Red Wolves: official survival and breeding center for these wild wolves; learn about long-term conservation programs to ensure the future of these and other endangered species
Arctic Tundra: home to a herd of massive muskox, native Northern waterfowl, and Arctic fox
Southeast Asia complex: a jungle home to elephants, monkeys, and apes. The new high-tech elephant barn features heated floors, 27-foot high ceilings, and a state-of-the-art elephant chute which enables staff to safely perform husbandry and healthcare procedures.
North Pacific Aquarium: traditionally one of the most popular attractions, the 160,000-gallon tank and 34 related exhibits feature Pacific Northwest marine life, from anemones, to octopi, to wolf eels
Simpson Marine Discovery Lab: a hands-on learning experience for all ages. Includes the Tidepool, a living replica of shallow Northwest coastlines
Rocky Shores: an exact replica of the North Pacific's craggy coast where beluga whales surface, sea otters frolic, puffins splash, and seals and walrus loll among the rocks.
Discovery Reef Aquarium: one of the finest warm-water habitats of its type in the world featuring more than 40 different species of sharks and dozens of colorful tropical fish
Sharks: the Survivors: colorful graphics, videos, and interactive displays let visitors see, hear, and smell from a shark's perspective and learn about the important role they have played for 350 million years in the ecosystem
Penguin Point: Magellanic penguins swim, burrow, and nest in a setting similar to their native South American coast habitat
Polar Bear Complex: generally regarded as the best polar bear habitat in any modern zoo. Depicts a coastal setting near Point Hope, Alaska, with an 11-foot deep saltwater pond, above and below-water viewing, and 10-foot tall arctic polar bears in residence
The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is owned and operated by the Metropolitan Park District of Tacoma. For more information and admission prices, call (253)591-5335; for group rates, call (253)591-5333
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