Welcoming two rescued cougar cubs, as well as national recognition for our Discovery Tram Tour Station, highlighted many memorable moments of 2025 as we celebrated the 50th anniversary of Northwest Trek Wildlife Park.
Relive Northwest Trek’s golden anniversary through captivating photos taken by staff photographer Katie G. Cotterill.
From Sequoia the bald eagle’s sharp call to Sullivan the cougar’s soulful eyes, to Northwest Trek’s newest pine marten, Syaʔyaʔ – enjoy a compilation of some of our favorite photos of the year.
Moose Luna walks through the Free-Roaming Area as the sun bursts through the trees.
Luna.
Raccoons Hickory and Bluebell celebrated 50 wild years with a cupcake-shaped ice pop enrichment.
Hickory celebrating Northwest Trek Wildlife Park’s 50th Anniversary with enrichment cupcake.
Rescued cougar cub Sullivan found the perfect lighting to relax.
Second rescued cougar cub Sienna arrived as a companion for Sullivan.
Veterinarian Dr. Kadie Anderson examines Sienna under anesthesia.
The cougar cub pair is now thriving – healthy, climbing trees, and enjoying enrichment.
Sullivan.
Sullivan.
Rescued pine marten Syaʔyaʔ found her forever home at Northwest Trek.
Syaʔyaʔ.
Trillium was also welcomed to Northwest Trek and made an immediate splash.
Trillium.
Gray wolf Canagan watched Naturalist Nicole intently while she placed bats for another fun year of Hoot n Howl.
Hoot n Howl setup.
Onalaska High School’s aquaculture program generously donated more than 5,000 steelhead fingerlings, which were subsequently enjoyed by raccoons Hickory and Bluebell and garter snake Matcha, among other Northwest Trek residents.
Onalaska High School Steelhead Fingerlings Fish Delivery.
Onalaska High School fish donation.
Onalaska High School fish donation – Matcha the snake.
Onalaska High School fish donation – Matcha the snake.
Bald eagle Sequoia makes her voice heard. Bald eagles have a special slit on the roof of their mouth that allows air to bypass their mouth when eating.
Sequoia.
Beaver Hudson received his wellness exam. Beaver teeth get their orange coloring from the iron-rich enamel on the outside. The softer inside layer wears down more easily and creates a perfect chisel for chewing tough wood.
Beaver Hudson exam with Veterinarian Dr. Cassidy Soehnlein.
Beaver Hudson exam.
One of the Free-Roaming Area’s resident bison bulls received his wellness exam, which was probably the most massive exam of the year (he weighs more than 2,000 pounds).
Veterinarian Dr. Allison Case and keepers Sunni and Jordan during bison bull exam.
Striped skunk Marigold received her routine wellness exam and showed off her beautiful teeth.
Marigold exam.
Rescued pine marten Syaʔyaʔ came to Northwest Trek with several broken teeth. Board-certified veterinary dentists from Vancouver-based Pet Dental Specialists, alongside Northwest Trek’s veterinary team, provided Syaʔyaʔ with two root canals.
Syaʔyaʔ root canals and extractions.
Badger Lavender checks out the photographer.
We welcomed a new tail-wagging adventure for our furry friends.
Elk and bison calves were born in the Free-Roaming Area.
Samson bison calf snuggles mom.
The Discovery Tram Tour Station was awarded the Significant Achievement Facility Award from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Grizzly bear Huckleberry waves to all his fans.
Huckleberry.
Meanwhile, grizzly bear Hawthorne wobbles in his enrichment chair.
Hawthorne.
A bison bull enjoys a frosty January morning.
Mountain goat Klahhane in the fall afternoon light.
Klahhane.
The gray wolves enjoyed new log furniture in their space.
Canagan.
Raccoon Hickory on a June day.
Hickory.
Red Foxes Kamiah and Whittaker on a September day.
Keeper Deanna feeds the bison in the Free-Roaming Area. Check out the passion and dedication of Northwest Trek’s zookeepers.
Keeper Deanna.
Caribou, trumpeter swans, and bison enjoyed a snowy February day.
Trumpeter swan in snow.
Striped skunks Marigold and Sundew cuddle up on a cold March day.
Sundew and Marigold.
Snowy owl Taiga found the perfect resting spot.
Taiga.
A caribou takes in a sunny summer day in the Free-Roaming Area.
