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 …

On a chilly, sunny November morning in Eatonville, more than 150 third, fourth, and fifth-grade students from Tacoma’s Lister Elementary gathered at the entrance to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. “We can’t wait to see the bears!” “The wolves!” “The cougar!” students all chimed in, bundled up in jackets and hats. Their excitement far outweighed the 40-degree temperature. They split up into small groups and gathered around a park map. “Where should we start?” asked fifth-grade teacher Anna Paker. “The bobcats!” her group of five students exclaimed, and off they were to explore the cat loop. Immediately, the students pointed out …

The full moon in November is traditionally known as the “Beaver” Moon. According to the Old Farmer’s Almanac, the moon is derived from beavers, who are particularly active this time of the year building their winter dams in preparation for the cold season. Beavers are nocturnal, so they keep working under the light of the Full Moon. “Beavers are engineers, second only to humans in their ability to alter their environment,” said keeper Miranda, who cares for the beaver at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. “They work together to construct elaborate dams and lodges to create ponds or wetlands.” Beavers are …

A hoary marmot living in Mount Rainier National Park now calls Northwest Trek Wildlife Park home and will make his public debut on Friday, Nov. 10. The young marmot, estimated to be born in spring 2022, was fed human food and began aggressively begging for food from people in the national park. According to Mount Rainier National Park officials, the animal had become a danger to himself and people. “Food-conditioned animals will beg aggressively for food and may bite, causing serious injury and possible infection to people,” said Dr. Tara Chestnut, former wildlife ecologist for Mount Rainier National Park. “Feeding …

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is now home to two female yearling American bison. The bison will soon join the wildlife park’s 12 other bison in the 435-acre Free-Roaming Area. “We expect them to fit right in with the herd,” said Marc Heinzman, the wildlife park’s curator. “They are at an age where they are usually more curious but less confident than an adult might be.” Before they join the others, the duo – named Cloudy and Frosty by keepers – are acclimating to their Northwest home behind the scenes. They recently received wellness exams from the park’s two veterinarians, veterinary …

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. 24-Jan. 1, with a …

Ghost the Pacific tree frog will debut just in time for Northwest Trek’s spookiest celebration of the year – Hoot ‘n’ Howl. Keepers named the male frog after the white ghost apple, keeping in theme with the wildlife park’s other two tree frogs, Cosmic and Fuji. “We were already planning on adding another frog to join Cosmic and Fuji when we found Ghost with an injury to his hind leg, looking very pale, in the Eagle Passage habitat and wanted to help him,” explained keeper Miranda. Miranda took Ghost to Northwest Trek’s veterinary clinic, where head veterinarian Dr. Allison and veterinary …

We’re celebrating Northwest Trek’s two incredible vet techs for Veterinary Technician Week (Oct. 15-21)! 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. Allison Case. “We are so grateful for what each of them brings to the position and consider ourselves very lucky to have them …

Whenever Friday the 13th rolls around, even the least superstitious of us might look askance at a black cat or shiver at an owl hoot. But animal superstitions, although fun, can cause pretty bad luck for the wildlife who cross their paths. After all, we live in a world where 350,000 tourists can visit Scotland in one year just to try and spot the Loch Ness monster. If that same number of people all decided to hunt wolves or support the illegal trade in tiger parts, that would have a devastating effect on some amazing animals who are neither good …

Owls get a bad rap around this time of the year. They’re associated with bad luck and hooting off evil – but none of that is true. Owls are only bad luck if you happen to be a mouse! And the only reason they hoot is to communicate with other owls. In some countries, owls are killed because of the negative associations with them. We want to change that narrative: owls are beautiful, intelligent creatures that keep the rodent population down. Northwest Trek’s 8-year-old barn owl, Teklus (pronounced Tuck-loose), is an excellent ambassador for his wild counterparts. If you’ve visited …