On February 17, 2024, the dedication of a bronze sculpture took place at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium. The couple, who have been long-time supporters, donated this beautiful piece to The Zoo Society. They’ve named the statue “Sally” in honor of their late daughter, who they describe as full of grace and mesmerized by the calmness of the ocean.
“The statue depicts a green sea turtle, which she adored, on the sandy ocean floor in a bed of seagrass,” describe the donors. “We hope the piece will remind and inspire guests’ connection to the ocean and all its inhabitants.”
The sculpture, created by Ed Kroupa (owner and founder of Two Ravens Studio in Tacoma, Nichole Rathburn, Ian Holman, and Jack Lancaster, can be found about halfway down the main path from the plaza to the Pacific Seas Aquarium-across from The Zoo Society kiosk.
Green sea turtles are protected under the Endangered Species Act, and nearly all species of sea turtle are now classified as endangered. They are threatened by poaching, bycatch, and ocean pollution/marine debris. Anyone can help by reducing the usage of single-use plastics to keep our beaches and oceans clean, carrying reusable water bottles and shopping bags, and reducing marine debris that may entangle or be accidentally eaten by sea turtles.
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