8 stories highlight Point Defiance Zoo's animals, updates and viral moments
Stories by Tacoma News Tribune journalists, with AI summarization
This list of stories includes major updates at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, such the births of a sea lion pup and baby meerkats.
The Tropical Reef Aquarium reopened last year after a $7M renovation, and the zoo's newborn Malayan tapir, Ume, became a social media star.
More recently, Laerke the polar bear went viral on social media after her behavior caused a visitor and online commentors to worry about her well-being. The zoo explained the the behavior is normal for Laerke, who has special needs.
There will be sharks, a lagoon and a 'very charismatic potato grouper named Tater,' zoo officials say. | Published May 10, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter
The 15,000-square-foot space features several shark species and a grumpy-looking potato grouper named 'Tater.' Its facelift cost $7.09 million. | Published June 12, 2024 | Read Full Story by Simone Carter
The sea lion pup is busy exploring her surroundings. | Published July 9, 2024 | Read Full Story by McClatchy Video Team & Video Elephant, with AI summarization
Zoolights kicks off its 37th year on Nov. 29. | Published November 25, 2024 | Read Full Story by Craig Sailor
Waterfront parks, Point Defiance Zoo Aquariums, neighborhood parks and community centers set to see investments. | Published November 28, 2024 | Read Full Story by Becca Most
'They are the strangest looking things, but she is utterly adorable.' | Published February 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Helena Wegner
'Each birth is a wonderful opportunity to connect guests with this fascinating species,' according to the zoo's curator. | Published April 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isha Trivedi
A Tik Tok of polar bear Laerke caused some concerns, but zoo staff said she is a 'special needs' bear who often displays that behavior. | Published May 7, 2025 | Read Full Story by Isha Trivedi
The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UPI
5 days ago
- UPI
Watch: Apple TV+ drops trailer for documentary series 'The Wild Ones'
"The Wild Ones" documentary series arrives on Apple TV+ in July. Photo courtesy of Apple TV+ June 5 (UPI) -- Apple TV+ released a trailer for upcoming documentary series The Wild Ones, which features a team of wildlife experts traveling to some of the most remote locations in the world to find endangered animals. The trailer, released Thursday, introduces expedition leader Aldo Kane, camera trap specialist Declan Burley and cinematographer Vianet Djenguet as they adventure to locations rarely visited by other humans. "Our mission: to find and film some of the most endangered animals on the planet and help scientists save them," Kane, a former Royal Marines Commando, says in the trailer. The six-part series will see the team venture to Malaysia, Mongolia, Armenia, Indonesia, Canada and Gabon to capture rare video footage of animals including the Malayan tiger, Gobi bear, Caucasian leopard, Javan rhino, North Atlantic right whale and Western lowland gorilla. The Wild Ones is produced by Offspring Films (Earth At Night In Color, Earthsounds) and executive produced by Alex Williamson and Isla Robertson. The first episode of the six-part series premieres July 11 on Apple TV+.
Miami Herald
15-05-2025
- Miami Herald
3-month-old ‘walking watermelon' set to make debut at Washington zoo. See her
An endangered baby animal that looks like a 'walking watermelon' has spent months with her mom learning new skills at a Washington zoo. Now, the public will finally get a chance to see her in person. Ume, a Malayan tapir calf, will make her debut Friday, May 16, at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, the zoo said in a news release. Visitors can see her in the Asian Forest Sanctuary as she explores the enclosure with her 10-year-old mom, Yuna. 'Viewing times may vary depending on the pair's daily routine, so guests are encouraged to be patient—mom and baby might be napping or taking a break out of sight,' the zoo said in the release. She was born Feb. 2 with bright white stripes and speckles, quickly winning over the hearts of social media users, McClatchy News reported. The zoo said she couldn't make her public debut until she learned how to swim. Ume then spent time splashing away until she 'passed swim class with flying colors!' the zoo said in a May 14 Facebook post. As Ume gets older, her stripes and dots will fade completely. What to know about the Malayan tapir The Malayan tapir is the largest of the four tapir species, according to the Tapir Specialist Group. This species is found in Asia in southern Myanmar and southern Thailand. Tapirs are herbivores and have long and flexible noses for snagging leaves and fruit, the zoo said. When they are babies, they are born with white stripes and dots to blend in with their environment. The 'mostly nocturnal' animal typically lives alone but may live in a pair. Zoo officials said the tapir is endangered due to disappearing forests, farms, logging and being hunted by humans.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Yahoo
3-month-old ‘walking watermelon' set to make debut at Washington zoo. See her
An endangered baby animal that looks like a 'walking watermelon' has spent months with her mom learning new skills at a Washington zoo. Now, the public will finally get a chance to see her in person. Ume, a Malayan tapir calf, will make her debut Friday, May 16, at the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium in Tacoma, the zoo said in a news release. Visitors can see her in the Asian Forest Sanctuary as she explores the enclosure with her 10-year-old mom, Yuna. 'Viewing times may vary depending on the pair's daily routine, so guests are encouraged to be patient—mom and baby might be napping or taking a break out of sight,' the zoo said in the release. She was born Feb. 2 with bright white stripes and speckles, quickly winning over the hearts of social media users, McClatchy News reported. The zoo said she couldn't make her public debut until she learned how to swim. Ume then spent time splashing away until she 'passed swim class with flying colors!' the zoo said in a May 14 Facebook post. As Ume gets older, her stripes and dots will fade completely. The Malayan tapir is the largest of the four tapir species, according to the Tapir Specialist Group. This species is found in Asia in southern Myanmar and southern Thailand. Tapirs are herbivores and have long and flexible noses for snagging leaves and fruit, the zoo said. When they are babies, they are born with white stripes and dots to blend in with their environment. The 'mostly nocturnal' animal typically lives alone but may live in a pair. Zoo officials said the tapir is endangered due to disappearing forests, farms, logging and being hunted by humans. Baby baboon is first born at California zoo since 2019. See Defari snuggle mom Hiker hurls possibly rabid fox into cactus during relentless attack at TX park Spikey red sea creature appears across Indian Ocean for first time. Take a look
