Point Defiance is a fairly small zoo (29 acres) with a sister facility nearby called Northwest Trek Wildlife Park (700 acres). One of the really popular things about Point Defiance is that there are a lot of animals that are not commonly seen in many other major zoos. How many zoos have all of these species: puffins, polar bears, muskox, walruses, sea otters, clouded leopards, red wolves and 2 aquariums!
I don't think I've ever heard it said out loud, but for some reason, I always expect 'Point Defiance' to be pronounced the French way - 'pwahn defee-onss'.
Just occurred to me that I have no reason to think that all, as both 'point' and 'defiance' are perfectly normal English words. I suppose it's the word order that makes it seem a bit exotic.
Point Defiance is a fairly small zoo (29 acres) with a sister facility nearby called Northwest Trek Wildlife Park (700 acres). One of the really popular things about Point Defiance is that there are a lot of animals that are not commonly seen in many other major zoos. How many zoos have all of these species: puffins, polar bears, muskox, walruses, sea otters, clouded leopards, red wolves and 2 aquariums!
Both the zoo and wildlife park receive a huge portion of their finances from the public in the form of a sales tax. From what I understand that is almost unheard of in certain other nations. From the park's website:
Governance:
Northwest Trek is owned and operated by Metro Parks Tacoma. Dr. David and Connie Hellyer donated Trek's land to Metro Parks in 1971, and the park opened four years later. Metro Parks operates 70-plus parks in Tacoma, including Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Tacoma Nature Center which, along with Trek, form the Zoological and Environmental Education Department. Two governing boards oversee Trek's budget, policies and projects: The Metro Parks Tacoma Board of Commissioners and the Zoo Trek Authority (ZTA).
Finances:
Northwest Trek is publicly supported by a portion of the Pierce County sales tax. In the fall of 2000, Pierce County voters approved to increase the sales tax one-tenth of a percent to help Northwest Trek, its sister facility Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Pierce County parks. Just over 40% of Trek's entire budget comes from that Pierce County sales tax. Other revenues come from admission fees, gift shop and restaurant sales, grants, fund raising and membership fees.
Both the zoo and wildlife park receive a huge portion of their finances from the public in the form of a sales tax. From what I understand that is almost unheard of in certain other nations.
