The group from Pierce College waiting for the tram ride. From left to right: Allie Morrow (Student Life Advisor), Craig T. Hiblar, Marina Chetverikov, Annika Fraga (the student leader of the event), Caitlynn Willis, Kandace Artero, Huy Nguyen, Joy Kvamme, Nicola Tracy and Maya Tracy.

The oldest bison at Northwest Trek was off by himself away from the other bison.

The free-roaming area that the tram drives through includes many animals, including these female Roosevelt elk.

Two female bighorn sheep that the tram passed on the 45 minute drive through the park.

These young elk didn’t seem at all concerned that they were in the road and the tram was coming.

Most of the bear exhibits were closed for renovations, but there were two black bears that visitors could see.

Nuka is a young lynx cat. She is very active and playful. Lynx’s big paws are perfect for stalking prey in the snow.

To read more about Nuka go to https://www.nwtrek.org/nuka/

At times it looked like Nuka was ready to jump into the water, but she just was just going after a drink of water.

Like many of the animals at Northwest Trek, this cougar was hiding back in the brush of his habitat.

This fox was very hard to find the exhibit.

The gray wolf was taking an afternoon nap.

This porcupine’s name is Thistle. The keeper explained that a porcupine’s quills feel more like a cat’s whiskers. Thistle was enjoying being hand fed by the keeper who was showing several visitors that the enamel on the front of a porcupine’s teeth are orange.

Northwest Trek has two very playful river otters who were busy swimming.

The group took a break from looking at the animals for a picnic lunch.

Joy Kvamme climbed up the pole in the natural looking playground.

Joy Kvamme sat on a giant slug that was along one of the paths.

Northwest Trek has several birds on exhibit. This one is a turkey vulture.

When passing back by the river otter exhibit, it looked like the otters were worn out from swimming and ready for an afternoon nap.

Before leaving the group stopped for a photo in front of a giant moose statue. In back from left to right: Allie Morrow, Maya Tracy, Nicola Tracy, Caitlynn Willis, Annika Fraga, Kandace Artero, Marina Chetverikov. In front from left to right: Craig T. Hiblar and Huy Nguyen.