Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

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Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium
Location Tacoma, Washington, USA
Land area 28 acres (0.11 km²)
Accreditations/
Memberships
AZA
Major exhibits Asian Forest Sanctuary, Rocky Shores
Website

The Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium is located in Tacoma, Washington, USA on 28 acres (113,000 m²) in Point Defiance Park. It is one of the few to exhibit Beluga whales; it possessed two half-brothers, Beethoven and Turner, but as of September 7, 2006, Turner has died, leaving Beethoven the only Beluga on exhibit. Necropsy results revealed that he died of a liver infection. Now, Beethoven lives with another male beluga called Qannik who was born at Shedd Aquarium in 2000. It also housed the world's oldest aardvark, who died on January 23, 2007. Most of its animals come from the Pacific and bordering continents, with few current species being from Africa or Europe. It possesses several Asian species, such as Sumatran tigers, siamangs, Asian Elephants, Lowland Anoas and Malayan Tapirs. It also possesses an aquarium with several species found in Puget Sound, and a large fish collection, including sharks and seahorses. The zoo also hosts a Wild Wonders Outdoor Theatre, where animals kept in a behind-the-scenes set of exhibits are presented in a show for the audience's amusement and education. Among its more developed sections include the Rocky Shores exhibits and the Tundra exhibits, containing animals such as Polar Bears, Muskoxenes, Reindeer, Puffins, and Arctic Foxes. Point Defiance Zoo has 3 walruses: ET, Basilla, and Joan. Basilla and Joan, both female, came from the Brookfield Zoo in May 2006. Basilla and Joan are on extended breeding loan from the Brookfield Zoo. The zoo believes that ET may have begun the mating process. In a section on its own is the Red Wolf exhibit, that is part of a conservation program.

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