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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 3h

Ume, the Malayan tapir calf, isn’t exactly dainty when it comes to eating her salad behind the scenes. 🥬 Now, 8 months old and 400 pounds, she’s growing fast, and those loud crunches mean she’s getting all the greens she needs to thrive. 💗

📹: Keeper Katie

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 1d

Strong muscles and a special eye structure protect their vision in icy Arctic waters, while extra blood vessels help keep their eyes warm, sometimes giving them a reddish tint. Check out these incredible close-ups of Balzak and Lakina's eyes! 2/2

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 1d

Ever noticed a walrus’s big, curious eyes? 👁️ They can actually bulge out a bit, helping walruses see both forward and upward, perfect for spotting friends (or predators) above the waves. 1/2

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 1d

Ruby the hornbill is stepping up to the plate for more Mariners enrichment! ⚾ She’s fetching baseballs, flying between bases, and rooting for the Mariners to bring home the big win today! 💙

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 1d

Today’s a special day for Sumatran tiger, Indah! 🐯 Join us in wishing her a very happy 11th birthday. Born at the Zoo, Indah has been a beloved member of our family since day one. She reminds us of the importance of protecting and saving this magnificent species. Happy birthday, Indah! 🎂

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 2d

Resembling saber-toothed fuzzy potatoes, these adorable rodents use their long incisors to gnaw through soil, digging elaborate tunnels. Damaraland mole rats spend nearly their entire lives underground, communicating using squeaks and growls. Meet our mole rat colony at Kids' Zone!

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 2d

Laerke, the polar bear, carefully weighs her options before taking the plunge. 🐻‍❄️ After all, polar bears like to size things up before diving straight in. Once she decided to enjoy her fresh, saltwater pool, she had a blast splashing around with fun enrichment. 💙

📹: Keeper Kacie

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 2d

It’s #TongueOutTuesday, and Hudson’s giving us his best muskox blep! 😝

📷: Keeper Russell

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 3d

It’s dinner time for Indah! 🐯 Tigers are solitary hunters, using stealth and power to bring down prey in the wild. Here at Point Defiance Zoo, Indah’s meals are part of her enrichment, encouraging those natural behaviors that keep her mind and body active.

📹: Keeper Skylar

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 6d

Hornbill Ruby’s got the bases covered! ⚾ She’s fetching baseballs and rooting for our Seattle Mariners to bring home the win. Wear your Mariners gear and score $5 off general admission at the Zoo’s ticket window (offer valid through the Mariners’ postseason run)! 💙 #SeaUsRise #GoMariners

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 6d

Guests are invited to visit Astra this weekend, Oct. 4 & 5, to wish her well before she leaves for her new home.💙

Her move is part of a nationwide conservation effort to support polar bear breeding, genetic diversity, and the future of this threatened species. www.pdza.org/farewell-polar-bear-astra

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 10d

A young rescued river otter is swimming free again!
Found orphaned along a roadside, she was brought to the Zoo for care before continuing her recovery at Center Valley Animal Rescue with other two male rescued otters. Last week, all three were released back into the wild!

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 10d

Her move is part of a nationwide conservation effort to support polar bear breeding, genetic diversity, and the future of this threatened species. Polar bear Laerke will remain here and be cared for by our dedicated team.

🐻‍❄️ www.pdza.org/farewell-polar-bear-astra

Farewell to Polar Bear Astra - Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Polar bear Astra is leaving Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium for another AZA-accredited zoo as part of the Polar Bear Population Alliance.

www.pdza.org

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 10d

We will soon say goodbye to 4-year-old polar bear Astra as she relocates to an AZA-accredited zoo in the Midwest. Guests are invited to visit on Oct. 4 & 5 to wish her well. 💙

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 11d

Muskoxen Willow & Pretzel 💕 Growing fast and looking fabulous! At their latest weigh-in, Willow tipped the scales at 433 lbs and Pretzel at 380 lbs. Perfect, fluffy perfection.

📸: Keeper Russell

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 12d

Moea (pronounced Mia), Libby and Clara each have unique stories and are often seen cuddling together. Learn more about them and their backgrounds at www.pdza.org/sea-otter-awareness 🦦

Bringing Awareness to Sea Otters | Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Sea Otter Awareness Week takes place during the last full week of September to celebrate & inspire deeper awareness of these marine mammals.

www.pdza.org

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 12d

Every year, #SeaOtterAwarenessWeek takes place during the last full week of Sept to celebrate and inspire deeper awareness of these marine mammals. All three sea otters living at Point Defiance Zoo are rescued. They were deemed non-releasable to the wild by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 🦦

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 13d

Happy #SeaOtterAwarenessWeek! 🦦 Moea, our rescued sea otter, is an estimated 16 years old. She is calm, confident, and loves spending time with her fellow otters. She’s also a foodie at heart, and her name is too! "Moea" is a nod to the scientific name for sweet potato. 🍠

📸: Keeper Lindsey

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 13d

Happy Sea Otter Awareness Week! 🦦
Sea otters’ paws are incredible tools, thanks in part to their semi-retractable claws and Libby’s got paws made for action! 🐾 Full of energy and curiosity, she loves showing off during training sessions.

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 14d

Check out those otter chompers! 🦷
Our dedicated keepers work closely with every animal, building trust through training that supports their healthcare. Here, Clara shows off her teeth, which is a trained behavior that allows keepers to check her mouth and monitor her dental health. 🦦

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 14d

Thank you to everyone who came out for our first-ever Dog Days at the Zoo! 🐶 We loved seeing your pups explore the zoo and meet some wild new friends.

Missed it? Don't worry! Tickets go on sale Oct. 1 for special Dog Nights at Zoolights-paws-itively magical evenings you won't want to miss. ✨

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 15d

Rocket’s repping the AL West Champs in style! 🐶⚾ Go @mariners.com! 🎉

#SeaUsRise #SeizeTheMoment

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 16d

Here comes Pretzel the muskox, zooming down the hill right to her snacks! 💨 At 2 years old and 383 pounds, she’s full of energy and ready for treat time.

📹: Keeper Dayna

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 16d

Moea, our rescued sea otter, is as happy as a clam this #SeaOtterAwarenessWeek! Just look at her clutching her little clam shells in her paws.

At an estimated 16 years old, Moea is calm, confident, and loves spending time with her fellow otters. She’s also a foodie at heart, and her name is too! 🍠

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium @ptdefiancezoo.bsky.social · 16d

It’s #SeaOtterAwarenessWeek! 🦦 Time to celebrate these incredible ocean protectors.

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