The Point Defiance Zoo in Washington State

While in Tacoma, we decided to check out the Point Defiance Zoo. We were not disappointed. 

The tigers were so entertaining to watch. One would hide and wait for the other, then jump out and pounce on him. They'd wrestle playfully for awhile and start over.

These cloud leopard cubs are only 4 months old. So cute!

This zoo schedules events throughout the day. We attended the elephant and the red wolf talk. The elephant keeper is holding a mold of an elephant tooth here and explaining how they continually grow new teeth. They move like a conveyor belt from the back to front. As the front one wears down, the new tooth moves in.

In 1980, there were only 14 red wolves left in the world. Some of them were brought to this zoo to keep them safe and allow their numbers to grow. 35 years later, there are now over 250 wolves, about half are now living wild in North Carolina, while the other half remain in the breeding program. Can you spot him walking across the log?

I think if I could be any animal, I might just be a puffin. They live their lives flying, swimming, walking and can climb pretty well. These live on the coast of Oregon and Washington.

This one was very interested in the kids and stayed right beside them. 

The highlight of our day was watching the animal show. It was a skit about "Indiana Bones" and a hunt for a geocache. They cleverly incorporated an impressive number of animals in the show. There was one who didn't want to participate that day, so they skipped his part. I love that they don't force the animals to perform. (They know what's coming, so if they don't walk into their cage to be transported to the show, they leave them there.) The kids wanted to watch this again.

This octopus was very active which was exciting for the kids.

The playground is surrounded by animal exhibits. Giving the parents more to do while the kids play.

Afterwards we had a picnic on the nearby Puget Sound. 

Check out Mt Rainier in the distance!