Nearly 400 endangered northern leopard frogs will leap back into the wild soon, thanks to a recovery effort at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) officials delivered the frog eggs to the Eatonville wildlife park in April. “They’ve already grown from egg masses to tadpoles in a short time,” said Northwest Trek Zoological Curator Marc Heinzman. “At this rate, the frogs should be ready to hop back into the wild this summer.” Once abundant throughout North America, northern leopard frogs are rapidly disappearing from their native ranges in Washington, Oregon, and western Canada. The species has been …

Happy 2nd birthday to our rescued moose, Calli and Luna! The female moose have come a long way, and they celebrated with an out-of-this-world party. Keepers made them space-themed enrichments and fresh leafy bouquets for browsing!          

RECORD NUMBER OF PARTICIPANTS, OBSERVATIONS, AND SPECIES IDENTIFIED IN 2024 SEATTLE-TACOMA CITY NATURE CHALLENGE Nearly 900 observers participated in this year’s City Nature Challenge spanning King, Snohomish, and Pierce counties, including Everett, Seattle, Bellevue, Tacoma, Snohomish, and any place in between. From April 26 through April 29, community scientists submitted 16,395 nature observations—up 63% from 2023—and identified 1,868 species (+30%), showing the world the incredible biodiversity in the region’s home turf. That’s the region’s record! “It’s exciting to set a new record, year after year, and to see our community discover and appreciate native wildlife,” said Zachary Hawn, Conservation Engagement …

They are well-rested and wide awake from their winter naps. That’s right: the grizzly bears and black bears at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park are energized and back in action! GRIZZLY BEARS HAWTHORNE AND HUCKLEBERRY  The grizzly “brothers” are playful and can often be seen splashing in their 7-foot-deep pool, wrestling one another, head-butting and searching for hidden treats their keepers have left for them. Born in the winter of 2018, our grizzly bears were orphaned in the wild: Hawthorne in Alaska and Huckleberry in Montana. Neither would have survived without their mom. Cared for by local zoos, they arrived at …

Hayward, the 17-year-old majestic golden eagle at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, soared through his wellness exam under the attentive care of head veterinarian, Dr. Case. Hayward underwent a full check-up, including preventative vaccinations, nail and beak trims, x-rays, and measurements, ensuring he’s in top-notch condition. Rescued as a young eagle in the wild with a wing injury, Hayward’s journey to recovery symbolizes resilience and strength. Did you know golden eagles boast an impressive wingspan of up to 7.7 feet? Here’s to Hayward’s continued health and soaring spirit!

Thanks to dedicated volunteers — 93 of them last year, logging a collective 6,907 hours of service — Northwest Trek can provide exceptional care to our animals, habitats, park grounds, and guests. In honor of Volunteer Appreciation Week from April 21-27, we are highlighting three exceptional Northwest Trek volunteers who are making a positive impact with their time and hearts. Karin Jordan Karin Jordan has been making the trek to Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville just about every Friday since 2007 to do one of her favorite things: make meaningful connections. Jordan, 80, usually spends her days overseeing a …

Our incredible veterinary team and keepers recently gave snowy owls Taiga and Tundra their wellness exams. While under anesthesia, the 6-year-old owls were monitored closely while getting their wings, beaks, talons, and eyes checked. Both birds received radiographs, had blood taken, and had a talon trim. Head veterinarian Dr. Allison Case says both snowy owls are in good health! Who’s who? Next time you visit the park, try to see if you can tell who’s who! Males like Tundra are whiter and have dark specks on their feathers. Females, like Taiga, are larger and have even more dark spots on …

During gray wolf Canagan’s triennial examination in November, Northwest Trek Wildlife Park’s head veterinarian, Dr. Allison Case, identified an infection in one of his molars. Canagan was given antibiotics while Dr. Case consulted with a veterinary dentist. Together, they decided the tooth needed to be extracted. Wolf molars are one of the more difficult teeth to extract – they are big with two extra-large roots. Associate Veterinarian Dr. Cassidy Soehnlein was tasked with the tough job. As Dr. Soehnlein and Veterinary Technician Tracy intubated Canagan and got him settled under anesthesia, Dr. Case and keeper Haley also took the opportunity …

The birds are chirping, flowers are blooming, and the sun is shining. But there’s so much more that points to Spring at Northwest Trek Wildlife Park. CHESTNUT IS AWAKE In early March, Chestnut the hoary marmot came out of his underground hibernation den. Guests can now see him running around his habitat. Before Chestnut went into hibernation in December, he weighed around 10 pounds. Now, he weighs about 8.5 pounds. Hoary marmots eat vast amounts of meadow vegetation, including sedges and lupine. In the wild, the thick layers of fat they develop allow them to survive eight to nine months …

World Frog Day is celebrated annually on March 20. Northwest Trek is home to a Northern leopard frog, Pacific tree frogs, Western toads, and a Great Basin spadefoot toad. Northern Leopard Frog Sprout, the Northern leopard frog, is an incredible ambassador for his wild counterparts. Once abundant throughout North America, northern leopard frogs rapidly disappeared from their native ranges in Washington, Oregon, and western Canada. The species has been listed as endangered in Washington since 1999, and with only one known wild population remaining in the state, there is still a long path to recovery for the frogs. Likely causes …