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 …

Every October, something spooky-wild stirs in the forest at Northwest Trek. Lights flicker. Skeletons look on from the shadows. A cauldron stirs mysteriously. And a UFO has crash landed in Kids’ Trek. But behind the magic of Hoot ‘n’ Howl, the wildly popular after-dark Halloween event, is a year-round effort powered entirely in-house by the talented teams at Northwest Trek. From design to build to the final eerie glow of opening night, it’s all hands on deck. “Planning for Hoot ‘n’ Howl begins right after the last guest leaves the park each October,” said Nikki Dzialowy, Facilities Manager. The Facilities …

Celebrate 50 wild years at Northwest Trek.
July 19 – 20