Two things growing otter pup, Bao, loves: eating seafood and playing with sticks! 💙 As first-time parents, Pintar and Sebastian have done an exceptional job raising Bao behind the scenes. Now three months old, he’s ready to make his public debut this weekend. 1/2

Three-month-old Asian small-clawed otter pup, Bao, will make his public debut this weekend! Bao has been gaining confidence every day, He’s curious, active, and closely bonded with his parents. We’re excited for guests to see him exploring the Asian Forest Sanctuary.

Baby Bao is a fan of the shrimp! 🍤 📹: Animal care staff Chrissy

Our newest residents, Bronto and River, two critically endangered American Red Wolves, are settling in beautifully at Red Wolf Woods. Once declared extinct in the wild, Red Wolves are making a fragile comeback thanks to dedicated conservation efforts.

New waterfront homes are ready on Ruston Way. Our conservation team has installed 16 new nest boxes south of Parks Tacoma's Chinese Reconciliation Park to help rebuild our wild purple martin colony after nesting pilings were removed from the surrounding waters in 2024.

Young muskoxen, Willow & Pretzel, are bringing the energy and Hudson is right in the middle of it. They have been practicing their headbutts and sparring in playful bursts while Hudson occasionally joins the fun.

Bao is on the move (and very fast)! The adorable otter pup is starting to explore more habitats at the Asian Forest Sanctuary. Here is one minute of baby Bao exploring the indoor Dayroom for the first time. With rotating spaces, there’s always something new to sniff, splash and investigate. 🌿💦

Say “I love you” in a wildly unforgettable way! 💝 Send a free animal valentine to someone special at pdza.org/love-at-the-zoo, because nothing says love like a little wildlife charm.

We will walrus love yooou! 💕 Walruses Balzak (pronounced bell’-zik) and Lakina (pronounced la-kee’-na) enjoying fresh, sustainable seafood and enrichment water-toys topped with blended surf clam and krill cubes for Love at the Zoo. 🐟

Laerke is feeling the love this Valentine’s Day 💕🐻‍❄️ Our playful polar bear is celebrating with heart-shaped fish-sicles made just for her! Enrichment like this encourages natural behaviors while keeping her day cool, active, and engaging. 💗

Playtime with mom never gets old. 🩷 At 12 weeks old, Bao is growing fast and momma Pintar is right there for every pounce, wrestle and chase. These playful moments help Bao build strength, coordination and the skills he’ll need as he continues to grow. 📹: Animal care staff Katie

Playing peekaboo with polar bear Laerke! 🐻‍❄️ Laerke’s start in life was difficult, requiring intensive care after a medical emergency shortly after birth. Though she’s made progress, Laerke still has specific needs and receives personalized care. 💙

Congratulations to the Seahawks on their big win! To celebrate, we’re continuing our Seahawks Pride deal all February long. Just show off your Seahawks gear and score a $5 discount on general admission at the front gate. Cannot be combined with other discounts. 💙💚

At 12 weeks old, Bao is growing fast and thriving with proud otter parents, Pintar and Sebastian, always close by! 💙

After careful introductions, Willow, Pretzel, Charlotte, and Hudson are officially sharing their large muskoxen habitat and forming a true herd. From grazing to exploring, this Arctic crew is settling in beautifully, and we’re loving every moment. 💚

Willow, Pretzel, Charlotte, and Hudson are now fully settled together in their spacious muskoxen habitat, officially a herd at last. From grazing side by side to romping and exploring, this new crew is thriving, and our hearts are full. 💗

Diving in to root for our SEAhawks this Super Bowl Sunday! 💙💚

Forrest the superb owl is showing off his game-day moves with a coconut football and some meaty nibbles! 💙🦉💚 📹: Animal care staff Maureen & Erica

Our sea otters are celebrating the Seattle Seahawks heading to the Super Bowl with fishy football treats and plenty of otter enthusiasm. 💙🦦💚

Pretzel being nosy and wants to say hi 👋 📸: Animal care staff Russell

Baby Bao ate his very first shrimp and absolutely crushed it. 🦐 Watching him figure it out is even cuter! 💙 📹: Animal care staff Katie

Late-night cardio, armadillo edition! 🌙💨 New mom Vespa is putting those tiny legs to work, hopping on her exercise wheel for a midnight stroll. Happy Armadillo Day!

Meet Bocce! This rare southern three-banded armadillo pup is thriving and growing, now weighing 1.7 pounds. At just two months old, he’s already making history. Bocce is only the second healthy armadillo pup born at the Zoo in our 121-year history, making this little arrival extra special. 💙

From a tiny watermelon to 523 pounds of tapir, Ume the Malayan tapir is officially ONE! 🎉 What began as a 24-pound bundle of squeaks and spots has grown into a curious, confident tapir, stealing hearts every step of the way. 💗 Happy first birthday, Ume! We love you! ❤️

Pretzel in action! 🥨 This hanging tree enrichment encourages natural muskox behaviors like browsing, headbutting, romping and ramming. Skills Pretzel was more than happy to demonstrate. 🌲 📹: Animal care staff Dayna

Big milestone for little Bao! 💙 Our otter pup is tasting and mouthing shrimp for the first time, an important step in learning how to eat solid foods. Dad Sebastian provided the shrimp. Bao provided the theft. 🍤😂 📹: Animal care staff Chrissy & Katie

Our male walrus, Balzak, tipped the scales at 3,000 pounds! And honestly? ICONIC. 🎉 Naturally, this massive milestone called for a massive celebration: seafood ice cake, a cheering care team, and 3,000 pounds of pure walrus excellence. 💙 📹: Animals care staff Kristyn

Meet the yellow watchman gobies! 👀🐠 Watchman gobies are named for a reason. With their big eyes and bold personalities, these little reef guardians spend their days perched near burrows, keeping a careful lookout and darting for cover when needed.

We could all use a little baby Bao right now. 💙

Please help us welcome Bronto and River, two critically endangered American Red Wolves, to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. Once declared extinct in the wild, Red Wolves are making a careful comeback thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, and these two are important ambassadors for their species. 🐺

Not a shark. Not a ray. Still deserves the spotlight. ✨ Today is the first-ever #SharkRayAwarenessDay, and we’re celebrating Fender, a 6′7″, 230-lb, rescued bowmouth guitarfish, a close cousin to both and a powerful reminder of why ocean conservation matters.

Get ready for peak floof energy! Young muskoxen Willow and Pretzel are enjoying some winter romping. 📹: Animal Care Staff Brittany

Animal care staff hid mealworms and crickets in a box of crumpled newspaper and the meerkats were obsessed. This kind of enrichment encourages natural foraging and digging behaviors, and clearly, it’s a meerkat favorite. 📹: Animal care staff Margaret

Our small-clawed otter pup officially has a name, and it’s just as adorable as he is. The name Bao (Bảo) primarily means “treasure” and “precious” in Vietnamese, and this two-month-old growing pup is already stealing hearts as he explores and starts swim lessons with parents by his side.

The adorable otter family says hello and thanks for all the love! ❤️ 📸: Animal care staff Katie

We may have missed National Hugging Day yesterday… but honestly? We could all use a hug today, too. 🤗 Animals remind us that connection matters, so here's a gentle nudge to hug someone you love and take a moment to breathe. 💙

Mawar had a lot to say during some behind-the-scenes downtime! Mawar shares her thoughts the best way she knows how, through chuffs, grumbles, and some seriously impressive tiger talk. Mawar recently celebrated her 7th birthday, and clearly still has big feelings about it. 😂

Say hello to our little ball of cuteness! A rare southern three-banded armadillo pup was recently born to proud parents Vespa & Scooter. At just two months old, this tiny newcomer marks only the second healthy armadillo pup born at the Zoo in our 121-year history, making this arrival extra special!

Swimming lessons are underway, and opinions are still split! Asian small-clawed otter mom Pintar is confident her pup is ready to dive right in, while dad Sebastian remains a bit more cautious. At just two months old, this young swimmer has the best instructors right there to guide every splash. 💙

Turn up the volume for #PenguinAwarenessDay, our Magellanic penguins have a lot to say! 🔊 That braying sound? It's how these charming waddlers communicate (and yes, it does sound a bit like a donkey). 🐧

Laerke got her blue tub filled with a layer of ice and herring, and she was all in. 🐻‍❄️ From scratching and lounging to enthusiastic pouncing, she showed off natural behaviors polar bears use in the Arctic to break ice. 🧊 Cool enrichment, curious bear, a very happy Laerke. 💙

While mom and dad enjoy dinner, this tiny Asian small-clawed otter pup has very important business, tail toys and full-on romping. 💙 📹: Animal care staff Katie

Blue + green = meerkat-approved game day vibes! 💙💚 Wear your gear and receive $5 off general admission at the front gate. Now through the Seahawks’ playoff run!

Rescued otters Moea and Clara, cozy and content! 🦦 📸: Animal care staff Dayna

Wear your gear and receive $5 off general admission at the front gate. Now through the Seahawks’ playoff run! 💙💚 Today, Jan. 16, pups sporting Seahawks gear will also receive a $5 discount during Dog Days (front gate only). All other dogs must pre-purchase Dog Days tickets online.🐾 pdza.org/DogDays

Curiosity is his thing. Behind the scenes, the otter pup couldn’t resist checking out a training tube, something that’s been part of his world even before he was born! While the tube is used by parents during training sessions, for this little pup it’s just another fascinating thing to investigate.

The baby otter attempted more camera time but his attentive parents said absolutely not. 😂 📹: Animal care staff Katie #asiansmallclawedotter #pointdefiancezoo #otter #cuteanimals #babyotter

PUPDATE: Swimming lessons are officially underway behind the scenes… with mixed opinions. 🦦💦 Asian small-clawed otter mom Pintar is confident her pup is ready and gives him a gentle toss into the water. Dad Sebastian is not so sure and immediately tries to rescue him. 💙

Throwback to baby Pedro playing a game of tag and running alongside his keepers for a little exercise. Tiny flippers, big energy! 🐧💙 📹: Keeper Kristyn

Nigel, our adorable prehensile-tailed porcupine, melts when keeper Adrienne finds that special spot right behind his ears. Quills relaxed, eyes soft, expert-level scratches achieved. 💙