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. Raccoons Hickory and Bluebell celebrated …

Connecting with nature does not always require hiking boots or a drive through the park. Sometimes, all it takes is an internet connection and a curious mind. Northwest Trek Wildlife Park’s Online Wildlife Academy brings the stories of Pacific Northwest wildlife straight to you. These live, interactive programs are led by one of the wildlife park’s expert naturalists and are designed to spark curiosity, deepen understanding, and inspire a lasting connection to the natural world. Even better, these programs are now completely free to book. During each session, participants can explore the lives of native animals, learn how they adapt …

Cougar cubs Sienna and Sullivan continue to grow in both health and confidence. The latest weigh-ins show Sienna at about 60 pounds and Sullivan at 77 pounds. Although Sullivan is larger, both cubs are gaining weight at the same steady rate, a strong sign that each is getting exactly what they need from their balanced diet. Since arriving as orphaned wild cubs, Sienna and Sullivan have undergone a remarkable transformation. Keeper Haley has had a front-row seat to their progress. “Both Sienna and Sullivan have overcome so many challenges,” said Haley. “Sullivan adapted quickly and shows amazing resilience, even with …

 Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is welcoming winter with two highly anticipated experiences: the return of Winter Wildland from December 26–28 and the launch of the 2026 season of Dog Days, beginning January 4, 2026. Both events invite guests to enjoy the beauty of the wildlife park and its animals in immersive, festive, and family-friendly ways. WINTER WILDLAND: December 26–28 | 9:30 a.m. – 3 p.m. Step into a sparkling winter wildland wonderland filled with festive décor and crisp mountain air, while watching animals discover seasonal enrichment items crafted by animal care staff. These enrichments encourage natural behaviors like foraging, …

On a recent December afternoon, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park staff members spent time doing what might look like arts and crafts to an outsider. But to the keepers and animals, those arts and crafts are an essential part of the everyday life of the animals; it’s enrichment. Enrichment items are things like food, smells, or toys that enhance the health and well-being of the animals in our care. Using these items in combination with knowledge of species’ natural history and behaviors, animal keepers can provide unique experiences that enhance the animal’s overall welfare. During Northwest Trek’s annual Winter Wildland, running …

Looking for a meaningful way to treat your pet this holiday season? At Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, enrichment isn’t an extra, it’s an essential part of caring for animals. Whether it’s gray wolves following scent trails, bears investigating puzzle feeders, or skunks foraging for treats, every enrichment opportunity helps animals think, explore, and behave like they naturally would in the wild. “We offer a variety of enrichment types to target specific natural behaviors we know our animals are capable of,” explains Haley, keeper and Behavioral Husbandry Coordinator at Northwest Trek. “The more we learn about an individual animal, like how …

Syaʔyaʔ (pronounced SEE-yut-yuh in the Lushootseed language) the pine marten recently underwent a root canal procedure at Northwest Trek’s healthcare clinic. Board certified veterinary dentists from Vancouver-based Pet Dental Specialists, a clinic primarily focused on treating dogs and cats with dental issues, donated their time to treat Syaʔyaʔ alongside Northwest Trek’s veterinary team. Earlier this year, Syaʔyaʔ was one of 39 animals seized by authorities from a facility in Haines, Alaska. The animals were relocated as part of a broader effort to ensure their safety. They were cared for at the Alaska Zoo in Anchorage, among other facilities in the …

Brrr! You can feel the chill in the air as the temperature drops. You’re likely pulling out your winter coats, if you haven’t already! Many of the animals at the wildlife park also have their winter coats ready and are well-prepared for the colder weather. Wolverine Wolverines are made for the cold- and our wolverine Rainier is no exception. Wolverines are well-adapted for winter living, with extremely dense fur, large snowshoe-like paws that allow them to stay on top of deep snow and crampon-like claws that enable them to climb up and over steep cliffs and snow-covered peaks. Their thick …

Reindeer tend to steal the spotlight in December, but it’s their close relative, the caribou, that turns heads at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. But what exactly is the difference between the two (besides one being Santa’s favorite)? What’s the difference? Scientifically speaking, reindeer and caribou are the same genus and species – Rangifer tarandus. But they are different sub-species – tarandus (reindeer) and granti (caribou). What the animal is called can depend on their origin and domestication. The word reindeer refers to domesticated animals. Both reindeer and caribou can be found in Alaska but have different lifestyles. Reindeer were brought …

For the holidays this year, consider gifting those close to you something wildly fun to experience together at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium or Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. Get up close to a moose, pet a goat (in a holiday coat!) or touch a jellyfish. 1. Enjoy Zoolights Give a magical evening of holiday wonder with tickets to Zoolights. Your loved ones can explore seas of dazzling lights, be mesmerized by classic animal displays (like a 100-foot-wide giant Pacific octopus!) and warm up with tasty treats. Don’t forget to hunt for Sasquatch. Zoolights runs from Nov. 28-Jan. 4, with a …