Point Defiance Lions?

Attention readers, zoo fans, and Tacoma history geeks.

We recently received a request for assistance from a reader working on a little research project. She’s looking for your help in collecting information on the lions of the Point Defiance Zoo; any photos or memories of the Point Defiance lions from 1942 until 1980 would be appreciated.

I’m trying to document which lions were in residence when. Over the years there were usually 3-5 lions on exhibit at any given time. Unfortunately, there seem to be few photos of them available in public archive collections. So, I’m looking for any photos of the lions, but especially those that can be identified by date—even if it’s just to within a couple of years. Also, any reminiscence that could help identify which lions were there when. For example, if someone were to know that when they visited the zoo in 1963, there was a lion named Sammy there—that sort of thing would be extremely helpful. Things like that. Ironically, there seems to be better information available on the earliest lions rather than those from the late 1960’s/early 1970’s. I suspect there are members of the public who might have knowledge or materials.

If you have a picture, a story, or a memory of the lions, contact us at tips@exit133.com, and we’ll pass the information along, or put you in touch with her.