Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, the Northwest’s only combined zoo and aquarium, also became the only zoo in the Northwest to offer camel rides to customers, which began June 20 and continues throughout the summer.

This chance to “take a ride on the wild side” is also a chance to help the zoo welcome three new residents - Mojave, 6, Duma, 4, and Ruby, 4 - who come from Australia. Two of these camels are Dromedary, or one-humped, camels, and one is a Bactrian/Dromedary, a two-humped hybrid. This summer, visitors will get the chance to have an especially up-close experience with them.

“Our zoo is known for its intimate feel and our ability to give families a truly up-close experience,” said John Houck, the zoo’s deputy director. “With the addition of camel rides and our new Budgie Buddies exhibit, this summer is all about close encounters.”

Anyone, including children as young as 3, can ride the camels. Customers ride on a saddle and no outside equipment or practice is necessary. Up to three visitors can ride a camel together. Cost is $5 per person. In addition, customers can touch, pet and even kiss the animals. The camels are used to working with people and their temperaments are calm, relaxed and gentle. The camel ride exhibit will not be a permanent attraction and will be ending in September as early as Labor Day.

Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, in Tacoma’s Point Defiance Park, is located at 5400 N. Pearl St. Summer operating hours are from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily, with the camel ride exhibit operating daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The zoo, a division of Metro Parks Tacoma, is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) and the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums (AMMPA). For more information on Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, call (253) 591-5337, or visit www.pdza.org.