SPRING/SUMMER 2019 TREK TRACKS PUBLISHED FOR THE FRIENDS OF NORTHWEST TREK WILDLIFE PARK

Eagle Passage exhibit opening this summer at Northwest Trek Eagle Passage, a walk-through exhibit featuring several bald eagles amid a natural setting of tall evergreens, snags and perches, will open this summer at Northwest Trek. Hawthorne and Huckleberry It will be the first animal exhibit guests see when they walk through growing up, so much fun the gates, immediately drawing are and it's people to breathtaking views of watch them play these magnificent animals amid to the trees. It’s hard to believe, but our grizzly fish and meat—the kind of food they “We’re excited to present Eagle bear cubs are growing up. They’ve would naturally eat in the wild.” Passage to our guests,” said Aaron put on weight and passed their first Keepers hide the cubs’ food so they Pointer, president of the Metro birthdays, and they’re still adorable. must forage for it—smell, dig, climb Parks Tacoma Board of Park And Bear Tracks weekend May 18–19 and even swim for their supper—just Commissioners. “The story of saving is a perfect time to come and see like they would in the wild. this iconic species from the brink them again. of extinction is one of hope and “It’s all part of encouraging natural should inspire us all to take action Hawthorne and Huckleberry are behaviors to keep them healthy to conserve other elements of our definitely not toddlers anymore. mentally and physically,” Withers environment.” Continued on page 2 Each weighing more than 250 added. “Hawthorne is showing his pounds and standing close to 3 feet strength, and Huckleberry is the tall, they’re getting stronger and problem-solver.” smarter every day. The bears have a great spring and Their food bills are growing, too. summer ahead. They love to play, rolling together or splashing in the pool. “We feed them four times a day,” said keeper Haley Withers. “It’s a “They’re best buddies,” Withers said. healthy mixture of fruit, veggies, Continued on page 2

1 Eagle Passage Continued from page 1 Funds for the exhibit were raised by the Northwest Trek Foundation. The birds inside cannot be released to the wild due to injury or medical issues and have been given a home at Northwest Trek. Interpretive graphics will provide guests with information about the history of the in the United A camera trap captured this photo States; encourage empathy with the of a in North Tacoma. birds; and detail the extraordinary care they receive. Grit City Carnivore Crawl into a life-sized eagle’s “nest” and feel what it’s like to be a bird, or Project aims to help spread your arms against a life-sized people, wildlife live graphic of an eagle’s wingspan to see together in harmony how you measure up. Stop at a digital pledge station and commit to taking Guests at Northwest Trek welcome conservation action. Keeper Adventure Tours run daily the sight of wild animals in natural The fact that bald eagles exist in Catch the cutest kids ever habitats, learning more about species America at all is a testament to the through Sept. 30 ¯ and you can now from these animal ambassadors. power of committed people working reserve online from the comfort of a tram But it can be a different matter when on behalf of wildlife. Our national you come face-to-face with a Hearing a munch on leafy Trek’s moose, bison, mountain goats, Most kids are cute—but when they well, and they’re all gaining symbol went from the brink of raiding your garbage can or a coyote browse, listening to a bison snort, Roosevelt elk, bighorn sheep, deer and have four legs, fluffy white coats and weight.” extinction in the 1960s to a robust staring at you from your driveway. and getting close to adorable other animals than ever before. bright black eyes, they’re irresistible. population in the early 2000s, thanks The kids love to hang out by kids just got a Some residents fear for the safety of to the Endangered Species Act and A driver/keeper narrates the tour and Yes, we’re talking about mountain the lake. Apples and lettuce are whole lot easier. their children, their cats and other other laws. answers guests’ questions. goat kids, and ours are delightful to their favorite snacks. small pets. Northwest Trek’s exciting new watch as they grow and explore the “We believe that viewing eagles up Keeper Adventure Tours head out at Since they arrived at Northwest premium Keeper Adventure Tours Free-Roaming Area in a tight-knit Northwest Trek is a partner in close and hearing their story will 10:30 a.m. and 1 p.m. each day, and the Trek last fall, the new kids on will run twice daily from May 1 group that looks like a large cotton the Grit City Carnivore Project, inspire our guests to take action fee is $80 for Northwest Trek members the block have completely through Sept. 30—and you can ball on the move. collaborating with Point Defiance on behalf of other species,” said and $90 for non-members. Prices settled into their new home. now reserve your spot online. Zoo & Aquarium and the Schell Lab Northwest Trek Deputy Director Rick include admission to the wildlife park. “Our three boys, Elwha, Klahhane and Look for them on the Free- at the University of Dietz. “We are grateful to our partners The 90-minute Free-Roaming Area Tours are limited to ages 5 and up. Rocky, are bold and curious,” said Roaming Area tram tour. Tacoma to better understand how in the Northwest Trek Foundation for tours aboard a specially equipped head keeper Ed Cleveland. “They are To reserve your unforgettable journey, carnivores live alongside people in making our dream of creating Eagle Jeep take guests off the beaten always first to get the food. The girls, Learn more about them at: go to nwtrek.org/tours the Puget Sound region. Passage a reality.” track to get closer to Northwest Bailey and Fairchild, are also doing nwtrek.org/mountain-goat The project employs 40 motion- sensitive camera stations along a Hawthorne Huckleberry Continued from page 1 corridor from Eatonville to Tacoma. They gather data on wildlife to help Bear Tracks event set researchers study how these animals survive in urban and suburban for May 18–19 neighborhoods. What: Catch up with your favorite “We want to learn more about our local grizzly cubs and black bears wildlife and how to live in harmony When: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 18–19 with it—and we want you to join us,” said Northwest Trek Conservation Includes: Bear enrichments, keeper Program Coordinator Rachael Mueller. chats, hands-on activities Just record coyote, raccoon and other Info: nwtrek.org/bear-tracks animal sightings using the iNaturalist Presented by app on your mobile device. Learn more at nwtrek.org/grit-city- carnivore-project

2 3 PRESORT STD U.S. POSTAGE PAID TACOMA, WA PERMIT NO. 702

General Information 360-832-6117 | nwtrek.org

Spring/Summer hours Through June 30 Mondays-Fridays: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays: 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. July 1–Sept. 3 Daily: 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Special Openings Memorial Day, May 27; July 4; Labor Day, Sept. 2 JEANNIE MARSH, Membership Coordinator 360-832-7170 | [email protected] Northwest Trek, accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, is a 725-acre zoological park devoted to the display, interpretation, research and conservation of NorthPEPSI_S1_NB_ AmericanSM_4C (FOR USE .25" TO 1.5") native wildlife.

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CMYK SPECTACULAR SUMMER!

June 22–23: Slug Fest Slip, slide and slime at this truly Northwest festival that’s all about Aug. 31–Sept. 2: our favorite forest creature: the slug. Feeding Frenzy Watch our animals devour their favorite foods during Labor Day Weekend.

July 20–21: Zookeeper Academy How do our keepers provide extraordinary care for our animals? Meet our animal experts and learn what they do to encourage natural behaviors through fun games. 4