In Northwest Trek’s nursery, a small group of young trees is beginning a journey that will last for generations. Recently, the wildlife park received a donation of sequoia saplings from a Nisqually Tribe elder and PropagationNation, a local nonprofit working to bring redwoods and sequoias to the Northwest. “These young trees carry deep cultural significance and an exciting future here at Northwest Trek,” said Nature Engagement Curator Craig Standridge. For many Indigenous cultures, trees represent endurance, connection to the land, and the passing of knowledge from one generation to the next. Sequoias symbolize strength, resilience, and longevity, values that echo …

Tucked behind the scenes at Northwest Trek’s Conservation Center property is a small but important wetland known as Toad Pond. The pond serves as one of the few known remaining breeding sites for western toads in Pierce County. Each spring, adult toads migrate to the shallow water to lay thousands of eggs, beginning the next generation of this declining amphibian species. Recently, however, Northwest Trek’s conservation team noticed something unusual: instead of reflecting the sky, the water appeared bright red. The color is a sign of changing conditions in the pond and comes from water fern (Azolla), a tiny floating …

For many, it’s a late-winter hobby, but for the keepers in Northwest Trek Wildlife Park’s 435-acre Free-Roaming Area, it’s just another part of their job: shed hunting. The bull (male) elk are beginning to drop their antlers—a yearly occurrence that happens a few months after breeding season due to a decrease in testosterone.   “We’ve already seen some impressively large antlers drop,” said assistant curator Dave. When a bull elk drops its antlers, they immediately begin growing a new set. “Antler grows faster than any other bone,” said Dave. “During the summer months, bull elk antlers can grow up to …

On a crisp, February morning at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, 3-year-old moose Luna received a special kind of forest “house call.” She was safely anesthetized for a routine wellness exam, led by Head Veterinarian Dr. Kadie Anderson and the wildlife park’s dedicated veterinary and keeper teams. After sedation, the animal care staff gently positioned Luna, taking extra care to protect the long, spindly legs that support her impressive size, so they could conduct thorough physical exams. Luna earned a clean bill of health. During her procedure, Luna received a dental check where she had her teeth filed to correct abnormal …

On an early February morning, staff and volunteers at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park cleaned mason bee nesting blocks in an effort to set the bees up for a successful spring. We worked ahead of the warming weather and cleaned the mason bee nest boxes early to avoid waking the bees prematurely. Mason bees emerge from their cocoons when the temperature stays between 50 and 55 degrees for several consecutive days, a signal that spring is coming. While mason bees can emerge naturally without assistance, cleaning their nest blocks removes mites, parasites, and built-up debris so they can begin their work …

On two chilly Saturday mornings in January, seventeen dedicated volunteers from Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium bundled up, grabbed their gloves, and headed out into the cold, all for the sake of wild western toads. Western toads are currently identified as a Candidate for listing as Endangered or Protected in Washington State. Once found throughout much of the state, their populations have declined in many areas due to a combination of habitat loss and degradation. Today, Pierce County is home to just five known western toad breeding sites, making every remaining habitat critically important. One …

When it’s wet and cold outside, there are plenty of ways to enjoy Northwest Trek Wildlife Park and meet amazing animals! Step inside the E.H. Baker Cabin Step inside the cozy forest cabin to get an up-close look at the gray wolf habitat. Climb into a tunnel to get nose-to-nose with a gray wolf (through a window). You might even catch a howl or two! Visit the Cheney Discovery Center Guests of all ages will discover a tiny world of reptiles and amphibians like a garter snake, northern leopard frogs, rough-skinned news, and more inside the Cheney Discovery Center. While …

At Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, proactive veterinary care is an important part of keeping our animals healthy throughout every stage of life. Recently, our playful river otter sisters, Blakely and Oakley, 10-year-old siblings who each weigh around 15 pounds, received their routine annual wellness exams with Head Veterinarian Dr. Kadie Anderson, Associate Veterinarian Dr. Cassidy Soehnlein, and our dedicated animal care team. Oakley and Blakely were both anesthetized for their annual exams and diagnostics, allowing the team to complete a thorough evaluation safely and comfortably. Both otters did very well under anesthesia and were kept warm with tiny socks and …

At Northwest Trek, we’re committed to providing habitats for wildlife, and our wood duck nest box project is a prime example of how conservation efforts can make a meaningful impact. In late January, staff from various departments cleaned, repaired and installed new nest boxes throughout our Free-Roaming Area wetlands. These boxes are vital to the health of wood duck populations, which were once in steep decline. Wood ducks are cavity nesters, relying on hollow trees and snags—or human-made nest boxes like ours—to raise their young. In the late 19th century, hunting and habitat loss threatened wood ducks with extinction. But …

Tala, our 12-year-old gray wolf, recently had a special veterinary appointment at Northwest Trek, and we’re happy to share that it was a success. During Tala’s physical exam last fall, our veterinary team detected a heart murmur. Heart murmurs can be indicators that an animal has heart disease, which may require treatment. To further diagnose her heart condition, we welcomed visiting veterinary cardiologist Dr. Nadolny, who came to Northwest Trek to perform a detailed heart exam right here on site. With Tala comfortably under sedation, our animal care team, led by Head Veterinarian Dr. Kadie Anderson, worked closely with Dr. …