Zoos

Asian Forest Sanctuary

Name: Asian Forest Sanctuary
Address: Tacoma, WA 98407, Tacoma, WA, US
Telephone: (253) 404-3800
Rating: 4.3

★★★★☆ 4.3 (9 reviews)

📍 Tacoma, WA 98407

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Quick Facts

Type: Zoo
Best For: All ages
Main Attraction: Asian Forest Sanctuary with tigers, tapirs, otters, gibbons, and siamangs in 5-acre habitat
Highlights: Daily keeper talks, rotating animal habitats, newly arrived Sumatran tiger Bintang
Membership: Available with perks and discounts

⭐The sanctuary features eight distinct habitats across five acres, including a bamboo forest and aquatic features with waterfalls and streams, creating naturalistic environments for Asian species
⭐Recent births of endangered species include a Malayan tapir calf (February 2025) and an Asian small-clawed otter pup (November 2025), indicating active conservation breeding programs
⭐Clouded leopards in the sanctuary are noted for their exceptional camouflage, making them a challenging but rewarding observation experience that requires deliberate effort to spot
⭐The sanctuary rotates animals through different habitats, ensuring that visitor experiences vary significantly between visits and preventing habituation in the animals
⭐Houses eight species of Asian wildlife including Sumatran tigers, clouded leopards, lar gibbons, Malayan tapirs, lowland anoa, siamangs, and Asian small-clawed otters across multiple habitat types

💡Plan extra time to spot clouded leopards - they have excellent camouflage and many visitors miss them. Patience and careful observation are rewarded, as confirmed by multiple visitors who successfully spotted them after searching.
💡Attend the daily keeper talks about animal care and conservation to enhance your educational experience and learn more about the sanctuary's residents, particularly the newly arrived Sumatran tiger Bintang and recent births like the Malayan tapir calf.
💡Visit multiple times to see different animal experiences - the sanctuary rotates animals through habitats, so your visit will vary depending on when you come. This makes repeat visits worthwhile.
💡Bring a stroller if visiting with young children - stroller ramps are available. When entering, take a left at the plaza for stroller-accessible routes to the Asian Forest Sanctuary.
💬Allow adequate time to thoroughly explore all five habitats and eight different animal exhibits - rushing through means missing camouflaged animals and other wildlife enjoying their spaces.