Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium

Snoots & Toots! 😂 Baby tapir Ume is here behind the scenes adorably booping the camera with her fuzzy snoot. 🥰 Meanwhile, mom Yuna delivers a soundtrack we didn’t ask for but definitely won’t forget.💨

Happy birthday, Skinny! 🦭 Our keepers and marine mammals are wishing this fabulous harbor seal a very happy birthday! Skinny isn't just aging gracefully, she's making history! 🎉 At 50 years old, Skinny is the oldest known harbor seal in the world, and she's spending her big day doing what she loves most, sealebrating at her home at @OregonCoastAquarium In June 1975, Skinny was just a pup when she was found orphaned on a beach in Washington. After receiving immediate care she was deemed non-releasable, and found a temporary home at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. She came to her permanent home at the Oregon Coast Aquarium just before its grand opening in 1992. #skinnyis50

🐧 Meet Pedro the Penguin Chick! 🩵 #pedro #penguin #babyanimals

We tried capturing Nigel’s legendary crunches with a new microphone… but the mic couldn’t handle the cuteness (or the volume). Total tech fail. Nigel, however, was perfect, as always. Happy World #Porcupine Day! 🥰

☀️ Bone Appétit, Astra! 🐻‍❄️ On a sunny day, there’s nothing quite like a salty dip and a savory snack! Polar bear Astra is living her best bear life, lounging in her fresh saltwater pool while gnawing on a giant bone like it’s a five-star treat. 🍖 #polarbear #pointdefiancezoo #enrichment

Gonzo the tamandua went on a stroll behind the scenes, taking in all the sniffs, sights, and sunshine vibes. 💛 These curious creatures love exploring with their strong snouts and sticky tongues, perfect for sniffing out ants (or just enjoying a sunny day at the zoo). ☀️

Pedro the penguin chick is so curious! 🩵 #penguin #whatsgoingon #pointdefiancezoo #babyanimals

Yuna is the best mommy to tapir calf Ume! 💗

Big splashes for a little tapir! Baby Ume just explored the large waterfall habitat with her mom Yuna for the very first time today! The 252-pound tapir calf swam, frolicked, snuffled through the grass, chomped on sticks and snacks, and chirped with pure tapir joy. 🌿 #pointdefiancezoo #ume #tapir #enrichment #babyanimals #endangeredspecies

Ume has the zoomies! 🏎️ Baby Ume just explored the large waterfall habitat with her mom, Yuna, for the very first time. The 252-pound tapir calf swam, zoomied, snuffled through the grass, chomped on sticks and snacks, and chirped with pure tapir joy. 💗 #ume #tapir #zoomies #babyanimals #pointdefiancezoo #zoomzoom

🐧 Turn up the volume… Pedro has something to say! 🎤 #penguin #pedro #babyanimals

Behind the scenes with five-month-old baby Ume! After a big day of exploring her outdoor habitats, our sweet tapir calf is all snuggles and snoozes with mom Yuna. Ume's curiosity keeps growing, and so does her bond with Mom! 💗 #pointdefiancezoo #zoo #behindthescenes #ume #tapir

When the group hears "seafood buffet is open," 🐟🍽️🕺 Puffin party in full swing, do the conga! 🧡 #happyfeet #puffin #pointdefiancezoo #conga

Big log for a big milestone! 🪵 Ume is now four months old, 214 pounds, and still prefers logs for her teething chompers. The endangered tapir has a new teething log behind the scenes to help her out (and give mom, Yuna, a much-needed break 😅). Ume’s been busy gnawing, nudging, and nibbling away like a pro, growing bigger and bolder every day! 💗 #ume #tapir #pointdefiancezoo #behindthescenes

Our favorite quillball, Nigel, couldn’t be happier getting those behind-the-ear scritches. 🥰 Happy #WorldPorcupineDay!

Tapir mom Yuna and her mini-me Ume took to the water in their lush waterfall habitat, and it was pure magic. At 252 pounds, Ume swam like a natural (tiny snorkel and all), even though she’s still not totally sold on the whole "water" thing. #tapir #ume #babyanimals #pointdefiancezoo

🐅 A very rare sighting: Kali the Sumatran tiger taking the plunge! On this warm summer day, Kali surprised her care team by entering her pool to pursue a floating cantaloupe for enrichment. Tigers can swim, but Kali usually prefers to stay dry, so this was a pretty special moment. #tiger #enrichment #sumatrantiger

Surf’s up, sea otters! 😎 Our three rescued sea otters, Moea, Libby, and Clara, are crunching, surfing, and sliding their way through a frozen wave of ice enrichment! 🦦🌊 Enrichment like this keeps their minds sharp and their days full of fun! 🏄‍♀️ 📹: Keeper Kristyn #seaotter #otter #enrichment

Otters, Sebastian and Pintar, just took their first splash into the big waterfall habitat! #otters #cuteanimals #zoo

Sweet moments with endangered tapir calf Ume and mom Yuna! 💗