Graceful arched antlers. Soft fuzzy velvet. And then – a touch of deep, blood-filled red. Welcome to the rut, that breeding season for animals like the bison, elk, caribou, bighorn sheep and deer that call our Free-Roaming Area home. If you know anything about rut, you’ll know that for Roosevelt elk and others in the deer family, it means sparring with huge antler clashes to vie for herd dominance. But there’s a less audible part of the rut that’s just as visually striking – and is essential to all that antler clashing. Losing velvet. Velvet (in animal terms) is the …

Dust flying, shaggy heads butting, deep rumbles. Rut (breeding) season has begun with our bison! As bulls look to dominate the herd and attract the ladies, they roll and spar with each other, raising dust and making big vocalizations. Hop on a Discovery Tram Tour or book a Wild Drive or Keeper Adventure Tour and get front-row seats to the most exciting time of year at Northwest Trek – and meanwhile, watch the video to get a taste of the action. 

Summer is in full swing, and temperatures can soar. Here’s what Northwest Trek Wildlife Park keepers do to help the animals beat the heat. The river otters, badgers, skunks, and beavers enjoy fruit, goat milk, or popsicles. Many animals also have additional air conditioning or fans in their behind-the-scenes bedrooms. The wolves have misters around their habitat and a fan in their den, and they also receive whole prey popsicles.  All the cats, like the lynx, bobcats, and cougars, get goat’s milk popsicles. The black bears and grizzly bears enjoy fish-sicles and splashing in their pools. Birds such as the …

Rescued cougar cubs Sullivan and Sienna, both 7-months-old and brimming with youthful energy, will make their public debut this Friday, July 18, at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. Their debut comes just in time for the wildlife park’s 50th anniversary weekend celebration, marking a special moment for the cubs and the community. Guests can see the cubs exploring their forested habitat along the park’s Cat Loop, near the bobcat and lynx habitats. After months of medical care, recovery, and bonding behind the scenes, the duo is ready to meet guests and enjoy their new home.  “These cubs have shown incredible …

It’s the baby season at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. During a tour of the 435-acre Free-Roaming Area, guests can try to spot Roosevelt elk calves, black-tailed deer fawns, and two bison calves. Plus, a bonus: wild goslings and ducklings occasionally make an appearance. Roosevelt elk (named for President Theodore Roosevelt) are social, polygamous members of the deer family that can form huge herds. They breed from September through November, and after an 8.5-month pregnancy, the female gives birth to a single calf weighing 30-35 pounds. Black-tailed deer breed from October to December, and after an 8.5-month pregnancy, females give birth …

An American bison calf made a memorable entrance over Memorial Day weekend at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. Born May 24, the calf is thriving in the park’s 435-acre Free-Roaming Area and has already become a guest favorite.  Keepers had been closely observing the calf’s mother, 4-year-old Sunny, who was expected to give birth around this time following a typical 285-day gestation. In keeping with natural behavior, she separated herself from the herd to give birth and spent a few quiet days bonding with her newborn before rejoining the group. The calf’s sex is yet to be confirmed, and the …

 A 6-month-old orphaned female cougar cub from New Mexico has found a new forever home—and a new friend—at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Washington state. She was rescued in mid-April after being spotted alone for several days in a tree near the city of Española, New Mexico. The young cub, now named Sienna, is settling in well after being introduced this week to Sullivan, a male cub rescued earlier this year in Washington. Sienna was discovered dehydrated and skinny but otherwise in good health. Officials from the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish (NMDGF) rescued and transported her …

There’s a graceful new arrival gliding through Horseshoe Lake in the center of Northwest Trek Wildlife Park’s 435-acre Free-Roaming Area—her name is Trillium. With her elegant white feathers and distinct black bill, this female trumpeter swan recently joined Northwest Trek resident swan Lily. Before meeting Lily, Trillium underwent a thorough wellness exam with Northwest Trek’s veterinary team. She received top-notch care, including checks of her eyes, mouth, and ears, full-body X-rays, and a comprehensive blood analysis. Trumpeter swans are the largest native waterfowl in North America. They measure between 54 and 62 inches in length, boast an impressive wingspan of …

There’s a welcome development in the ongoing recovery of the 5-month-old orphaned cougar cub receiving care at Northwest Trek. Initially facing a high-risk lung surgery after veterinarians discovered fractured ribs and lung damage that occurred in the wild before his arrival, the young cougar’s latest health evaluation brought much-needed good news: surgery is no longer necessary at this time. During routine pre-surgical checks, the park’s veterinary team noticed signs of natural healing, prompting a reevaluation of the cub’s condition. “To our relief, his body is beginning to repair the damage on its own,” said Dr. Kadie Anderson, head veterinarian at …

 A 5-month-old orphaned cougar cub rescued by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in the Spokane area has found a new home at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville, Washington. The cub, discovered malnourished and dehydrated, is now receiving dedicated care from the expert veterinary and animal care teams at Northwest Trek. Though he is still recovering, the cub is making definite progress. “When the cub arrived, he was in critical condition—extremely underweight, dehydrated, and anemic,” said Dr. Kadie Anderson, head veterinarian at Northwest Trek. “He also had ticks and had been recently sprayed by a skunk. …