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 …

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. Wolverines Wolverines are made for the cold- and our wolverines Rainier and Ahma are 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. …

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 …

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 …

The black bears at Northwest Trek have gone down for their winter naps, also known as torpor. During torpor, a bear’s body temperature, respiratory rate and metabolic rates all decrease to conserve energy. The bears can maintain this low energy sleeping state for days, weeks or even months without having much activity outside of 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 …

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 …

Black cats, pumpkins, ghosts… skulls and skeletons. They’re all symbols of the Halloween season. We asked Northwest Trek’s Head Veterinarian, Dr. Allison Case, to give us an “inside” look at a few of the wildlife park’s animals and their not-so-spooky skeletons. Dr. Case regularly takes radiographs (X-rays) of the animals to assess their health and care for them. Carly the Cougar Check out Carly the cougar’s skull and teeth! Cougars have long canine teeth that are extremely sharp and can cut through bone, meat, and tendons. Debunking the myth: Q: Do cougars stalk and attack humans? A: Cougars are stalking …

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 …