Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

[MidwestFan]

As of today, both Lakina and Balzac are actually off display. Signs and barriers say "Thank you for giving them their space as they get used to their new home". Which is kind of odd since they're not actually in their home. I'm guessing they could be getting training somewhere else? But as of right now, the Underwater Viewing portion has fences around it, and you can only access the Underwater Viewing by taking the elevator since the stairs are closed too for the Walrus.

Update from the zoo on walrus exhibit from Facebook on 12/21/2022:
"The walruses have a lot to say! Walruses are among the most vocal of all pinnipeds. They produce growls, roars, whistles, grunts, barks, and more for communication. As walruses Balzak (pronounced bell’-zik) and Lakina (pronounced la-kee’-na) adjust to their new home, they have access to both public and off-exhibit areas. If you cannot see them, you may hear them whistling, bubbling, blowing or making other loud noises behind the scenes."

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium - Chatty Walruses | Facebook | By Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium | The walruses have a lot to say! Walruses are among the most vocal of all pinnipeds. They produce growls, roars, whistles, grunts, barks, and more for...

 

[John Marchwick]

As of today, both Lakina and Balzac are actually off display. Signs and barriers say "Thank you for giving them their space as they get used to their new home". Which is kind of odd since they're not actually in their home. I'm guessing they could be getting training somewhere else? But as of right now, the Underwater Viewing portion has fences around it, and you can only access the Underwater Viewing by taking the elevator since the stairs are closed too for the Walrus.



I couldn't see into the Polar Bear habitat to see if they've started renovations, although the fence does say the same thing that they'll have Bears back in Summer 2023. Do they already have a deal worked out with another Zoo? That's interesting the date is pretty close
View attachment 595835

I wonder if the cub that Alaska Zoo just rescued will be going to this institution for this renovation to their polar bear exhibit.

 

[TinoPup]

I wonder if the cub that Alaska Zoo just rescued will be going to this institution for this renovation to their polar bear exhibit.

I wouldn't think so, they've had signs up about their return since before the cub was rescued.

 

[TheGerenuk]

An 11-year-old male Sumatran toger named Sanjiv has arrived from Topeka Zoo.

 

[Zoofan15]

Male Sumatran tiger makes debut:

There’s plans to breed him with either female tiger:

Sumatran tiger makes public debut zoo

The plan calls for Sanjiv to father cubs with either of the zoo’s female tigers: Kali, 9, or Indah, 8. Sanjiv has bred successfully in the past, fathering four cubs in 2019.

"Over the coming months, we’ll gradually introduce him to Kali and Indah and closely monitor their behavior to ensure that all three cats are comfortable.”

 

[wild boar]

Where did Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium get their scalloped hammerheads?

If I remember correctly the facility is home to three and is not set up for breeding them. Is this true?

 

[Milwaukee Man]

A young male siamang named Remy made his debut.

Point Defiance Zoo welcomes new siamang Remy

 

[IndianRhino]

The zoo will be receiving twin sister polar bears Astra and Laerke from the Detroit Zoo this spring!

Detroit Zoological Society, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Collaborate to Provide Two Twin Polar Bear Cubs a New Home - Detroit Zoo

 

[RIPPompadour]

Between the arriving polar bears, the siamang, and the tiger, visitors will have plenty to be excited for this summer! Productive year on the ABC transfer market so far.

 

[snowleopard]

An update on the Polar Bears:

https://www.pdza.org/introducing-twin-polar-bears/

 

[Smaggledagle]

Other 2023 News:

On January 31st, it was announced that the zoo transferred a (0.1) red wolf named Honey Bun to the Miller Park Zoo in Illinois.

Miller Park Zoo

On February 13th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) southern tamandua was born 2 weeks prematurely, and passed away from a number of complications.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

On February 28th, the zoo announced that there are new upside-down jellyfishes that are now on exhibit in the Jelly Gallery.

Upside-Down Jellyfish | There are new upside-down jellies on display at the Jelly Gallery! No bones, brains, teeth, fins, or even blood – jellies are mostly water. But they... | By Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium | Facebook

On April 12th, the zoo announced they acquired a (0.1) turkey vulture named Ruby V who is now an ambassador animal.

https://www.pdza.org/welcome-ruby-v/
Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium - Meet Rescued Turkey Vulture, Ruby V! | Facebook | By Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium | Rescued turkey vulture Ruby V makes her public debut this Saturday and Sunday from noon to 2 pm at the Wild Wonders outdoor exercise yard! Animal...

On April 24th, the zoo announced that (0.0.49) leaf insects (species not specified) hatched which are now on exhibit in the Kids' Zone area.

Leaf Insect Nymphs | Spot the leaf insect nymphs! Leaf insects stay safe in their forest home by looking just like the leaves surrounding them. Their disguise is one of... | By Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium | Facebook

On May 11th, it was announced that a (1.0) red wolf named Oliver (2326) was transferred and released into Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina along with a wild-born female.

Red Wolf 2322F leaving the acclimation pen on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge | More red wolves on the landscape in eastern North Carolina! Last week, two pairs of Red Wolves were released from their acclimation pens on Alligator... | By Red Wolf Recovery Program | Facebook
Red Wolf 2322F leaving the acclimation pen on Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

On May 12th, the zoo announced that a (1.0) red wolf cub that was born in late April was moved to a wild litter in Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge in North Carolina in early May.

https://www.pdza.org/endangered-red-wolf-pup-fostered/

On May 15th, the zoo announced that (0.0.12) red wolves were born at their offsite breeding facility in late April.

Critically Endangered Red Wolf Pups Born | Exciting News! Three litters of critically endangered American Red Wolf pups were born at our offsite facility last month. Twelve growing pups received... | By Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium | Facebook

On May 27th, the zoo announced that (0.0.2) Humboldt penguins hatched, though they both passed away on May 28th.

Rare penguin chick hatches! | 5/28 update: Unfortunately, both penguin chicks passed away. A rare Magellanic penguin chick has hatched at Penguin Point! Keepers check on the... | By Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium | Facebook

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

Where did Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium get their scalloped hammerheads?

If I remember correctly the facility is home to three and is not set up for breeding them. Is this true?

I don't remember where they're from, but one of the aquarists did mention that all 3 Hammerheads are female. IIRC they're still pretty young, so there is the possibility they're transferred or used in a breeding program when they're a bit older.
Sort of related to that is there are only 3 Female Spotted Eagle Rays left in 'Baja Bay'. The reason being when they did have males in the group, there were a lot of pups that were being born. It got to the point where they couldn't keep anymore of the pups that they moved the males to other aquariums that could take them in since they don't have the space for a growing population. One or 2 of the males were moved to Seattle which I'm pretty excited about.

Another thing I noticed today is the Underwater Viewing for the Walrus is currently closed / covered up as they mention the Walrus aren't very comfortable with Underwater Viewing yet. You can still view them from the above water areas though.

 

[Smaggledagle]

On June 15th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) Magellanic penguin hatched 2 weeks prior.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

 

[Smaggledagle]

On June 27th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) Home's hingeback tortoise named Boma made its public debut.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

On June 28th, the zoo announced they acquired a (1.0) common raven named Ari from Portland Audubon in Oregon.

Also on June 28th, the zoo announced they acquired (0.0.2+?) curlyhair tarantulas.

Meet Ari the rescued raven | Don't miss your chance to meet our new raven Ari at the Wild Wonders exercise yard this Sunday! With black iridescent plumage and remarkable intellect,... | By Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium | Facebook
Meet The Cute Curlyhair Tarantulas | Say hello to our new curlyhair tarantulas that never have a bad hair day. ‍ These tarantulas have dense curly hair covering their bodies. This not... | By Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium | Facebook

 

[Smaggledagle]

On July 31st, the zoo announced that their Malayan tapirs are now on exhibit together as part of a breeding recommendation.

Tapirs Reunited | Baku and Yuna are once again sharing habitat space! Under a breeding recommendation by The Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan®... | By Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium | Facebook

 

[Smaggledagle]

On June 15th, the zoo announced that a (0.0.1) Magellanic penguin hatched 2 weeks prior.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

On August 3rd, the zoo announced the penguin's gender (0.1), and name, Regina. On August 16th, the zoo announced that the penguin is back on exhibit.

So fetch! We can’t wait... - Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Regina the penguin chick joins the colony at Penguin Point! | So fetch! Regina the penguin chick waddles her way back to Penguin Point and rejoins the colony. Read the story,... | By Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium | Facebook

On August 23rd, the zoo announced that a (1.0) California sea lion named Björn passed away due to a gradual decline in health.

It is with heavy hearts... - Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

 

[MidwestFan]

Visited 8/23/23. Went specifically to see the walrus and polar bears.

Walrus exhibit has to drain and started to fill back in the morning. Staff said it takes all day to fill, so no walrus on exhibit.

Only saw 1 of the polar bear twins, and was behind rock work so didn’t get a photo.

Did see Suki, Asian Elephant. Showing her age a bit, but was pretty active!



Also one of the Sumatran Tigers was photogenic.


Was pretty disappointed about walrus, as I haven’t been to this facility in many years (they still had belugas last visit!).

 

[IndianRhino]

0.1 muskox calf was born yesterday (09/07) to parents, Charlotte and Hudson!

Muskox calf born at Point Defiance Zoo

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

Not much has been mentioned by the Zoo about the South Pacific Aquarium renovation since its mostly just patching up and fixing old parts of the Aquarium that need touch up but it looks like the displays are starting to be worked on from what I can see. This area contains the "Stingray Cove", "Lagoon", and other Shark Tank. The Aquarium is supposed to open up next Spring so maybe we'll hear some news about new species arriving soon?

I don't remember if the Mural was there before but there's lots of Dry Rock and Fake Coral inserts that were stacked up out of the box.

 

[Northwest_FIsh_Keeping]

0.1 muskox calf was born yesterday (09/07) to parents, Charlotte and Hudson!

Muskox calf born at Point Defiance Zoo

The Zoo has officially announced her name; Willow! The name made up 43% of the total votes. Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium on Instagram: "Thank you to everyone who voted on the name of our two-week-old muskox calf! ️ Willow was the clear favorite, garnering 43% of all votes. Watch cutie Willow zooming around her habitat this morning. Learn more at pdza.org/meet-willow "

Here's a photo I took of Willow last week while she napping next to Mom