Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

The Tropical Reef Aquarium has been really busy in the last few weeks as tons of new species have been added in the last week. These include: 4 new juvenile Blacktip Reef Sharks, 2 new Juvenile Grey Reef Sharks, a Spotted Wobbegong, a Black Blotched Stingray, a Napoleon / Hump head Wrasse, a group of Hump head Unicorn Tangs, and a group of Silver Trevally. This makes the Elasmobranch collection in the 'Outer Reef' tank to a total if I counted correctly:
(5) Blacktip Reef Sharks (4) Grey Reef Sharks (3) Zebra Sharks (2) White Tip Reef Sharks (2) Nurse Sharks (1) Spotted Wobbegong (1) Black Blotched Stingray & (1?) Aussie Reticulated Whiptail Stingray. So they're going all out with the Elasmobranchs.

Other news:
-The Sea Lions and Harbor Seals are now both on display at the same time. Though right now it's just Matia (Sea Lion) as Eloise is BTS with her baby (Pepper)

I should get a complete species list out today of animals that are always out (this doesnt include the animals that are brought out on occasion since I can't track those properly)
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Nile Hippo Expert said:
Sad news, Suki, the last elephant at the zoo, has died at the age of 60 and there won’t be any more elephants at the zoo.
Remembering Suki, 1964-2024. It is with great sadness that we share the news that our beloved elderly Asian elephant, Suki, was humanely euthanized... | By Point Defiance Zoo & AquariumFacebook
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Wow that is unexpected, I just saw her last week and from an outside perspective, she still looked healthy. That's unfortunate to hear, she'll be greatly missed.

I believe that also means there are no more Elephants in general within Washington. Oregon Zoo is the only place in the PNW you'll be able to see any Elephants now if I'm not mistaken. I did hear last time the space will be transformed for another animal, I'm curious to see what they have in mind. RIP Suki
 
Northwest_FIsh_Keeping said:
I believe that also means there are no more Elephants in general within Washington. Oregon Zoo is the only place in the PNW you'll be able to see any Elephants now if I'm not mistaken. I did hear last time the space will be transformed for another animal, I'm curious to see what they have in mind. RIP Suki
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Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon also still has elephants but it’s just them and Oregon with elephants in the PNW.
 
What do you all think that they will use the old elephant exhibit for? Is it possible that they may just demolish the entire exhibit and put something new in its place?
 
Zoo-Lover-1-2-3 said:
What do you all think that they will use the old elephant exhibit for? Is it possible that they may just demolish the entire exhibit and put something new in its place?
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The exhibit is apart of the Asia section so they could use the space for a species of Rhino, like the Greater One Horned Rhinos since they're also kept at Woodland Park Zoo, wouldn't hurt to have a little more genetic diversity in the same state.
The other thing they need to consider is the Elephant House where Suki stayed. They'd either have to tear that down as well, or could revamp it to be an indoor Rhino space if they decide to go that route. I'd imagine it'd be some kind of Asian Mammal if they want to keep the exhibit theme going, or could make it an entirely separate exhibit for a different animal (kind of like how the Penguins have 'Penguin Point' and the Red Wolves have the 'Red Wolf Woods' where they both showcase just 1 species)
 
Northwest_FIsh_Keeping said:
The exhibit is apart of the Asia section so they could use the space for a species of Rhino, like the Greater One Horned Rhinos since they're also kept at Woodland Park Zoo, wouldn't hurt to have a little more genetic diversity in the same state.
The other thing they need to consider is the Elephant House where Suki stayed. They'd either have to tear that down as well, or could revamp it to be an indoor Rhino space if they decide to go that route. I'd imagine it'd be some kind of Asian Mammal if they want to keep the exhibit theme going, or could make it an entirely separate exhibit for a different animal (kind of like how the Penguins have 'Penguin Point' and the Red Wolves have the 'Red Wolf Woods' where they both showcase just 1 species)
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The zoo management itself was quoted as saying that they had no immediate plans for replacement.

Northwest_FIsh_Keeping said:
Wow that is unexpected, I just saw her last week and from an outside perspective, she still looked healthy. That's unfortunate to hear, she'll be greatly missed.

I believe that also means there are no more Elephants in general within Washington. Oregon Zoo is the only place in the PNW you'll be able to see any Elephants now if I'm not mistaken. I did hear last time the space will be transformed for another animal, I'm curious to see what they have in mind. RIP Suki
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Further, it was noted elephant cow Suki had a combination of health problems. To put it suscinctly: Suki had contracted TB in 2019 and had been treated for chronic arthritis and uterine tumors (similar to fibroids). More recently she came down with a suspected stroke and a consequent decline in cognitive behaviours and increasing discomfort. She received expert end of life care for a few years and was euthanised last Saturday when her condition became untenable and no longer any quality of life existed. RIP Suki.

Sure, end of an era at Tacoma - Point Defiance.
 
Piece of June 2024 News Worth Mentioning:
Nile Hippo Expert said:
5 critically endangered Red Wolf pups have been born at the zoo's off-site facility.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
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On June 18th, the zoo announced that the red wolves were sexed as (3.2).

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

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On August 14th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) prehensile-tailed porcupine named Quillow which is behind the scenes.

Meet our newest prickly resident, Quillow! Quillow is a female prehensile-tailed porcupine, also known as a coendou. Quillow is celebrating her first... | By Point Defiance Zoo & AquariumFacebook
 
Northwest_FIsh_Keeping said:
The Zoo announced a young Kinkajou will temporarily live at the Zoo after it was found abandoned at a Rest Stop in Eastern Washington on Sunday (most likely smuggled for the Illegal Pet Trade).
It sounds like it'll live BTS for it's stay as they get a home arranged. The Zoo doesn't have a dedicated South America area, if it works out, I'd love to maybe see Woodland Park Zoo become it's home with all the new renovations coming along, plus they've already got some really nice outdoor Rainforest exhibits.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on Instagram: "A young kinkajou was found abandoned at a rest stop in Yakima on Sunday, June 23. Rescued by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Police, he will live temporarily at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Zoo staff quickly mobilized, working with state wildlife officials, to find a safe place for this rainforest mammal. Upon arrival, he was immediately quarantined at the Zoo’s animal hospital for onsite care and will undergo a comprehensive wellness exam with our veterinary team this week. This young kinkajou's survival is a testament to the collaborative efforts of state wildlife law enforcement and the Zoo, highlighting the dangers of the illegal pet trade. While kinkajous are not endangered, they are hunted for fur, meat, and the exotic pet trade, threatening their wild population. Kinkajous live in tropical rainforests from southern Mexico through Brazil. They are small carnivores with prehensile tails, often mistakenly called primates. Despite their cuteness, kinkajous do not make good pets."
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This kinkajou has moved to an unknown accredited zoo on the East Coast.

https://amp.thenewstribune.com/news/local/article292054445.html
 
It hasn't been announced on social media yet (probably because it's just a minor exhibit made up of 3 tanks) but the 'Coral Reef Close-Up' exhibit in the 'Tropical Reef Aquarium' is now scheduled to open sometime in Spring 2025, not Fall of this year like it was planned to.
 
Sven the Arctic Fox suffered a serious knee injury that required surgery and will be BTS for the next month as he recovers at the Animal Hospital. Freya will still be on exhibit for the time being.
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on Instagram: "Our beloved Sven recently sustained a serious injury to his left knee, tearing all the ligaments and damaging his meniscus. To stabilize his knee, board-certified veterinary surgeons Dr. Brian Heiser and Dr. E.B. Okrasinski performed surgery yesterday with our associate veterinarian, Dr. Kadie. During surgery, a surgical pin was placed across Sven’s joint to stabilize the knee. The young Arctic fox will stay at our animal hospital for the next month to rest, recover, and receive plenty of specialized care and TLC. While our female Arctic fox, Freya, will remain in her habitat, we’re optimistic that Sven will make a full recovery and regain good use of his leg. This type of injury is rare—none of our Arctic foxes in decades of care have ever experienced it. Although we don’t know exactly how the injury happened, our incredible veterinary and animal care teams are working hard to ensure Sven heals well and is reunited with Freya soon. Stay tuned for updates on Sven’s healing journey."
 
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