Spring Break Superstars Take Center Stage

Journey ‘round the world of animals at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, which will spotlight a different superstar each day – March 31-April 4.

It’s a great time to plan a Spring Break “staycation” sprinkled liberally with family field trips to the zoo.

Each day, the animals will receive special treats, and visitors will test their knowledge with a special scavenger hunt and activity.

Here’s the schedule of featured animals:

Monday, March 31
Red wolves: These animals are native to the Southeastern United States, and Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium was instrumental in saving the species from extinction.

Tuesday, April 1
Sharks: Visitors can check out the South Pacific Aquarium, home to 17 sharks, including a 450-pound, 9-foot lemon shark. Sharks swim all the world’s oceans, and the species is increasingly threatened by finning and overfishing.

Stingrays aren’t the featured animals on this day, but they live virtually next door to the sharks, and Stingray Cove is a great place to stop, reach into the touch tank and run fingers along the stingrays’ velvety surfaces.

Wednesday, April 2
Elephants: Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has two Asian elephants, Hanako and Suki, both about 50 years old.

Thursday, April 3
Polar Bears: These massive land mammals are native to the coastal regions, islands and seas of the Arctic. Three polar bears, Boris, Blizzard and Glacier live at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium as ambassadors for their wild counterparts.

Friday, April 4
Wild cats: Five Sumatran tigers and one Malayan tiger live at the zoo. Kids can learn more about Malosi, Jaya, Bima, Dumai, Kali and Berani and the crucial conservation effort to save wild tigers. The zoo also is home to seven clouded leopards: Cubs Tien and Sang Dao and adults Chai Li and her mate Nah Fun; Jao Ying and Chee Wit; and Josie.