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Best Photos of 2023
December 18, 2023

As another year ends, we reflect on the special moments Northwest Trek Wildlife Park had the privilege of being a part of in 2023. We raised and released hundreds of endangered northern leopard frogs into the wild, provided a new home to a hoary marmot, and helped Tacoma students develop empathy for wildlife through our award-winning Wildlife Champions program. Enjoy some of our favorite photos from this year, taken by staff photographer Katie Cotterill.

Grizzly bears Huckleberry and Hawthorne hug during a wrestling play session.
Brothers gotta hug! Grizzly bears Huckleberry and Hawthorne hug during a wrestling play session.

Mountain goat Klahhane sticks out his tongue.
Mountain goat Klahhane sticks out his tongue.


An elk calf stays close to mom.


Red fox Jack enjoys a lush spring day.


A hooded merganser mom leads the way for a plethora of babies in the Free-Roaming Area.


Deer run past a pumpkin enrichment.


Amphibian egg masses were monitored at our four-acre wetland mitigation site.


Huckleberry walks on a log through his habitat.


Golden eagle Hayward shakes his feathers.


Wolverines Rainier and Ahma wrestle.


Northwest Trek is home to four rescued, injured bald eagles.


Head Veterinarian Dr. Allison Case examines bald eagle Sequoia during an exam.


Hoary marmot Chestnut has his mouth examined during his health exam before exploring his new home.


An elk bugles during the rut (breeding season).


Northwest Trek is home to one of the largest bat colonies in the South Puget Sound region. We partnered with scientists to help protect wild bats from white-nose syndrome.


An up-close look at moose Atlas’ long eyelashes.


Our veterinary team examines nearly 300 endangered northern leopard frogs before they’re released back into the wild.


More than 150 students from Tacoma’s Lister Elementary engaged with wildlife on a field trip to Northwest Trek as part of our Wildlife Champions program.


Atlas, left, and Luna, right, enjoy the plants in one of the lakes in the Free-Roaming Area.


The bachelor elk herd takes a dip to cool off on an August afternoon.


We welcomed garter snake Matcha to the Northwest Trek family.


A starling sits atop a bison.


Assistant Curator Dave stops his vehicle to move a wild northern roughskin newt out of the way in the Free-Roaming Area.


Cougar Carly’s nails are examined during her yearly exam.


Barn owl Teklus in the late-afternoon light.


Black bear Fern receives her triennial wellness exam.


A wood duck sits in the sun in the Free-Roaming Area.


An elk rests in the Free-Roaming Area on a foggy day.

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