Most of (not all, but most of) the zoo's exhibits are focused around the Pacific Rim region. While that excludes a few major zoological hotspots (*cough* Africa *cough*), it does feature some pretty variable landscapes with diverse wildlife.
Consider, for example, Sanctuary Asia, which features the wildlife of Southeast Asia and Indonesia. The exhibit is built in the rotating-exhibit school of thought, whereby animals may be found in one exhibit one day, a different one the next. The theory behind this practice is that it provides a more variable experience for both the animals and the visitor. As is often the case, however, certain habitats seem better suited to certain species, and I suspect that there are exhibits which are more or less designated to some species. I can't imagine the primates, for example, making the best use of a large, grassy yard with a water moat, while the meshed in habitats might seem tight for some of the larger residents. Occupants of the area are Malayan tapir, lowland anoa, siamang, white-cheeked gibbon, crested porcupine, and small-clawed otter. A large, spacious yard with a big water feature was home to Sumatran tiger at the time of my visit, and I suspect that's almost always the case.
Two other habitats are generally tacked on as part of Sanctuary Asia. At the time of my visit, the zoo's lone remaining Asian elephant was found nearby, though the animal has since passed, ending Point Defiance's involvement with the species. What will happen with the exhibit has not yet been announced, though I strongly suspect Indian rhino. Also nearby is one of the best of Point Defiance's land exhibits, the towering Cats of the Canopy, built after the rest of the section and home to clouded leopards. Point Defiance is one of the premier breeders of these gorgeous Asian cats. The leopards can be difficult to see in the well-planted exhibit that provides plenty of climbing opportunities, but for the naturally elusive animals, that's really what makes it such a superb enclosure - and when you do spot one, it really feels like an accomplishment.
The other main geographic area of the Pacific Rim represented here is the Arctic coast and tundra. For many visitors, the undisputed stars of the zoo will be the polar bears. The exhibit here might seem a little small compared to some of the truly great polar bear exhibits out there, but its worthwhile seeing as one of the first American zoo exhibits that actually incorporated greenery into the bear habitat. Besides the obligatory pool (with underwater viewing, of course), there is grass, dirt, and rock for the bears to explore. Nearby is the polar bear's natural sidekick, the Arctic fox, as well as a vast, grassy meadow for muskox. Point Defiance is the only place I've seen these arctic ungulates, which are notoriously intolerant of heat and have disappeared from their other past holders (in one case, just months before I visited the zoo, to my chagrin). I'm not sure how much longer the zoo will have this species, but I was certainly glad to see them here - including a young calf.
Much of the arctic exhibit focuses on aquatic species, and Point Defiance does well here. There's a nice walk-through aviary of horned and tufted puffins, along with common murres, I think the only outdoor exhibit I've seen of these birds. Like the polar bears, their habitat is striking for being green and hilly, rather than just rock and water. There is also a trio of marine mammal habitats. Sea otters are very common in the zoos and aquariums of the west coast, so I wasn't surprised to see them here. A former beluga habitat how features harbor seals and California sea lions. I was most excited to see the walruses, a truly impressive species which few places have these days. The underwater viewing area was closed (I'm told due to tusk scratches on the windows), but there was above water viewing too and I was treated to some excellent views of the huge sea beasts.
Other exhibits include a small but attractive colony of Magellanic penguins from South America (like the puffin exhibit, notable for its greenery) and a few odds-and-ends exhibits clustered around a children's zoo, complete with play areas and contact zones (the children's zoo also generally sees the departure from the geographic theming of the zoo). One substantial- but important - deviation from the Pacific coast is the red wolf exhibit. Though they are found on the exact opposite corner of the country - the southeast, as opposed to the Pacific Northwest - red wolves are a critical part of Point Defiance's history. It was to this zoo that the last surviving wolves were brought for the breeding program that ultimately saved the species. The zoo continues to be an important breeder of these rare canines.
Point Defiance is certainly one of the more unique zoos that I've seen. The natural beauty was fantastic, the strong aquatic component (both in and out of the aquariums) was impressive, and the collection was unique. The zoo lacks many of the most "typical" zoo animals - including almost any African species - but does showcase a lot of unique species seen very rarely elsewhere (and the lack of more usual zoo animals isn't necessarily a weakness - this zoo is just an hour or so away from the excellent - of more conventional - Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle). Furthermore, many of the exhibits are very unique - and I mean that in a good way, which isn't always the case.
Some of the enclosures could stand to be improved, and I think that the Pacific theming could be strengthened by adding a few other species. The bird and reptile collections are pretty weak and could be strengthened while adding to this theme - Galapagos tortoises, for example, would fit well. The children's zoo struck me as kind of a weak area, so perhaps that could be rethemed along those lines. Still, it was a very unique campus with fascinating animals in overall good exhibits. It's a zoo that's been on my must-see list for some time, and I'm very glad to have finally made it there.
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