The black bears at Northwest Trek have gone down for their winter naps, also known as torpor. During torpor, a bear’s body temperature and respiratory and metabolic rates decrease to conserve energy. The bears can maintain this low energy sleeping state for days, weeks, or even months without having much activity outside their den, including eating and going to the bathroom.  Northwest Trek’s black bears, Benton and Fern, typically go into torpor from November until February or March. “Benton and Fern do have periods of activity during the winter months, where they will eat, go to the bathroom, and …

The four resident red foxes at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park recently received their annual preventive wellness exams, and all are doing well overall, according to veterinary staff. “These exams are essential for monitoring the health of our senior animals,” said Dr. Kadie Anderson, Head Veterinarian at Northwest Trek. “We check everything from eyes and ears to teeth, paws, and internal health through x-rays and ultrasound evaluation. It’s also a good time for them to receive boosters for their vaccinations.” The foxes – Jack, Radar, Kamiah, and Whittaker – were all rescued from the wild in Idaho as young pups in …

 There’s a new face in the forest at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park: Syaʔyaʔ, an American marten estimated to be 1-2 years old. Syaʔyaʔ will make her public debut on Friday, Oct. 17 in the wildlife park’s Forest & Wetlands habitat. With her long, silky fur, curious brown eyes, and quick, graceful movements, Syaʔyaʔ (pronounced SEE-yut-yuh) is an ambassador for one of North America’s most elusive woodland creatures. Her name, meaning “friend” in the Lushootseed language, honors the Coast Salish people of the Pacific Northwest, who have cared for the land where Northwest Trek now stands since time immemorial. The …

Every October, something spooky-wild stirs in the forest at Northwest Trek. Lights flicker. Skeletons look on from the shadows. A cauldron stirs mysteriously. And a UFO has crash landed in Kids’ Trek. But behind the magic of Hoot ‘n’ Howl, the wildly popular after-dark Halloween event, is a year-round effort powered entirely in-house by the talented teams at Northwest Trek. From design to build to the final eerie glow of opening night, it’s all hands on deck. “Planning for Hoot ‘n’ Howl begins right after the last guest leaves the park each October,” said Nikki Dzialowy, Facilities Manager. The Facilities …

There’s postseason magic in the air, and not just at T-Mobile Park. The excitement of October baseball has officially reached the wild at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, where animals (and humans) are proudly stepping up to the plate for the Mariners. Guests who wear Mariners gear to either zoo will receive $5 off general admission at the front gate. The offer is valid through the end of the Mariners’ postseason run. Checkout the breakout animal stars of the postseason below. Thanks to some quick and creative training from her keepers at Point Defiance Zoo, …

It’s not every day that a group of high school students walks into a wildlife park carrying thousands of fish, but that’s precisely what happened recently at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. Thanks to a generous donation from Onalaska High School’s aquaculture program, more than 5,000 steelhead fingerlings were delivered to the wildlife park to help feed resident animals like bald eagles, lynx, bears, and more. From Hatchery to Habitat The fish came from Onalaska High School’s on-campus hatchery, where students in aquaculture classes raise and care for salmon and trout as part of their curriculum. “I was inspired to share …

We’re celebrating Northwest Trek’s two incredible vet techs for Veterinary Technician Week (Oct. 12-18)! The vet techs assist the veterinarians in every aspect of animal health care: Prepping for procedures. Monitoring animal vitals. Taking blood samples. Working with keepers to help animals participate in their health care. Giving treatments. Endless administrative support. “Our veterinary technicians, Tracy and Deanna, perform a vast array of duties, and the veterinary clinic could not function without them,” said Head Veterinarian Dr. Kadie Anderson. “We are so grateful for what each of them brings to the position and consider ourselves very lucky to have them …

Black cats, pumpkins, ghosts, skulls, and skeletons symbolize the Halloween season. We asked Northwest Trek’s animal care team, Head Veterinarian Dr. Kadie Anderson and Veterinary Technician Tracy Cramer, to give us an “inside” look at a few of the wildlife park’s animals and their not-so-spooky skeletons. The animal care team regularly takes radiographs (X-rays) of the animals to assess their health and care for them. Sullivan the Cougar Check out Sullivan the cougar cub’s X-rays from when he received care for a limp. This image shows the growth plates in his front legs. Since Sullivan is still growing, the growth …

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park has received the Significant Achievement Facility Award from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for its Discovery Tram Tour Station, a project recognized for excellence in facility design and construction that advances the mission of accredited zoos and aquariums. Presented at the 2025 AZA Annual Conference in mid-September, the award honors transformative non-exhibit projects that elevate operations, enhance guest experience, and promote sustainability. The Discovery Tram Tour Station was celebrated for its innovative approach to accessibility, environmental stewardship, and immersive visitor engagement. “Congratulations to the team at Northwest Trek for their hard work and dedication …

As the Seattle Mariners head into the heat of October baseball, Pierce County zoos are stepping up to the plate to join the postseason excitement. Starting Saturday, Sept. 27 fans sporting Mariners gear will knock $5 off general admission at the front gates of both Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium and Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. Whether you’re hyped for homers or wild about wildlife, both zoos are ready to bring the energy of the ballpark to the animal kingdom. At Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, the Mariners mojo is going moose-size. Northwest Trek’s mascot, Footloose the Moose, is officially cheering on …