3 Reasons to Visit Point Defiance Zoo

In case you weren't aware of the entertaining, educational and relaxing venue for patrons of all ages and interests, consider yourself updated! There is an amazing zoo in Tacoma, WA that you simply must visit this spring/summer, especially if you have never been or haven't recently visited. 

Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium used to be the neglected step-sister of the Woodland Park Zoo, but incredible vision, planning and hard work have made PDZA one of the premier zoos on the west coast. Breeding programs, exhibit designs, educational programs and live animal presentations propelled this city-run park into the nation's top tier of animal facilities.

So why should you go?

3.) The weather.
Western Washington has had a couple of really tough summer seasons with temperatures lingering in the 60's, and clouds dominating the Doppler for months. Not so this year! It's only May and I have already worn shorts to work several times! Amazing. The outdoor exhibits are delightful to view on these brighter days, as tigers and tapirs lounge in the sun. They also make good days for picnicking on the zoo's lawn. 


2.) Babies. The fuzzy, striped or spotted kinds that steal your heart on sight. Point Defiance participates in a number of breeding efforts as part of Species Survival Programs. The keepers' diligence and experience is paying off this year as the zoo welcomed meerkat babies, clouded leopard cubs and just this week, a litter of endangered red wolf pups.






1.) The Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater.
I'm a little biased on this one, but I'm declaring the new animal show as the number one reason to visit Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium this season. The show debuting this year is the fast-paced, animal-filled "Captain Adventure vs. Dr. Do-Nothing," featuring a cast of characters including Tilli the aardvark, Cactus Jack the porcupine, Caper the macaw, Herald the Wonderdog, and many more. The show is geared toward children, but audience members of all ages are feeling inspired to get up and try some fun outdoor activities.

 

I'll see you there!



 

Writing a New Zoo Show: A Heroic Effort

It's that time of year again! I'm back at the Point Defiance Zoo, helping to train the animals and write the script for this year's new show. I can't say much about it yet, but it's going to be SUPER.



All of the animals are getting in shape for their performances...



We humans will be memorizing lines, gathering props, hiding secret identities--um, I mean, making costumes. Many of our veteran animal ambassadors will be included of course, like Herald the Wonderdog, Rototiller the Amazing Aardvark (aka Tillie) and Twiggy the Lizard-smasher. A few new animals will be making appearances in this year's show too, such as our hedgehog, Petunia the Powerful.

Don't you think that sounds SUPER? Tune in next week for more about our super-animal-friends. Same zoo-time, same zoo-channel. Holy new-presentation-orchestration, Batman!