Photo By Capt. Michael Greenberger | Bima and Mali, a pair of Sumatran Tiger cubs born, May 25, are the star attraction at...... read more read more
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TACOMA, Wash. – The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium opened its doors to active and retired service members and their families this Veterans Day as a token of thanks for their service to the nation.
Of the 2,685 visitors, Nov. 11, 609 took advantage of the free day to visit the zoo and enjoy many of the exotic and unique exhibits on display.
“We’re delighted to honor the veterans who have served our country,” said Whitney DelBalcon, Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium marketing and public relations manager. “We get a lot of active duty military at the zoo and Northwest Trek and we’re happy to have them as guests.”
“We also had a military appreciation day earlier this year and we always have a $2 discount off general admission (with valid military identification) every day that the zoo is open,” DelBalcon said.
The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is the only combined zoo and aquarium in the Pacific Northwest, making it one of the most diverse collections of animal exhibits in the region.
One of the newest displays is the Red Wolf Woods, which offers guests a glimpse into the lives of rare and endangered Red Wolves, whose decimated population was as low as 14 in the 1970’s. Today, thanks to conservation efforts like the ones at Point Defiance, their numbers are up to 300 with many being released back into the wild.
The new $1.1 million exhibit gives visitors a broad, unobstructed view of these exceptional animals.
“We’re most proud of our ability to allow visitors the opportunity to get very close to our animals,” DelBalcon said. “We really try hard to provide intimate and up-close experiences as well as education through keeper talks and enrichments.”
The zoo sits on 29 acres built on the hills of Point Defiance. The location allows for exhibit designs to produce spectacular, clear views of many of the animals, as well as a magnificent view of Mt. Rainier and nearby Commencement Bay.
Massive polar bears, grazing reindeer, frolicking harbor seals, clouded leopards and lumbering elephants are but a few other mammals waiting to be seen here. The zoo’s aquarium boasts a broad range of colorful tropical fish and local species while a separate exhibit teeming with sharks brings visitors face to face with these silent hunters.
Kids get a kick out of Animal Avenue in the Kid’s Zone where they can explore the lives of meercats, mole rats, snakes and frogs or play on the jungle gym and experience learning in the many touch exhibits available.
Perhaps the star attraction though is a pair of endangered Sumatran Tiger cubs born May 25 to mom Jaya. Bima and Mali, the first cubs ever born at Point Defiance, thrilled the gathered guests as they chased and batted at each other with their massive baby paws like a pair of overgrown kittens leaping around. They certainly elicited the “awww’s” and laughter you’d expect from a pair of cats fighting over a toy. Kids and adults alike smiled from ear to ear as these young cats fought each other over a clump of grass.
“The cubs have been a huge draw this summer,” DelBalcon said. “We’ve been having an incredible year and the tiger cubs are a key reason for that.”
Starting Nov. 26, the zoo will light up from 5-9 pm with approximately 550,000 lights in dozens of animal-themed light displays as part of their 23rd annual Zoolights. Guests can walk around the zoo and sip hot cocoa or go for a spin on an antique carousel. The unique chance to ride a camel will also be available during Zoolights.
Also this year the zoo will be sponsoring a holiday lights recycling program where visitors can deposit unwanted, any-condition holiday lights into collection points at the gate.
In addition to their annual military appreciation day in March, prices are always discounted $2 with valid military identification. More information about the zoo and Zoolights is available at www.pdza.org.
The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is a part of Metro Parks Tacoma and the zoo’s sister facility, Northwest Trek, located about 55 miles east in Eatonville, also offers daily military discounts.
| Date Taken: | 11.18.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 11.18.2010 11:47 |
| Story ID: | 60398 |
| Location: | TACOMA, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 183 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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