View source for Fresno Chaffee Zoo

{{More citations needed|date = July 2017}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Infobox zoo
|zoo_name=Fresno Chaffee Zoo 
|date_opened=1929 
|area= {{Convert|39|acre|abbr=on}}
|image=LionsFresnoZoo.jpg
|location=[[Fresno, California|Fresno]], [[California]], [[United States]]
|coordinates={{coord|36.7522|-119.8215|type:landmark_region:US-CA|display=inline,title}}
|members=[[Association of Zoos and Aquariums|AZA]],<ref name="aza_list"/> [[World Association of Zoos and Aquariums|WAZA]]<ref name="waza_list"/>
|website={{URL|https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/}}
|exhibits=African Adventure, Roo Walkabout, Stingray Bay, Sunda Forest, Tropical Rain Forest, Valley Farm}}

The '''Fresno Chaffee Zoo''' is a [[zoo]] in [[Roeding Park]] in [[Fresno, California]] covering 39 acres and housing over 190 species.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fresnochaffeezoo.org/species/|website=Fresno Chaffee Zoo|title=Species|quote=Fresno Chaffee Zoo is home to approximately 190 species.}}</ref> Its attractions include Stingray Bay, Dino Dig, Valley Farm, Sea Lion Cove, African Adventure, and Ross Laird's Winged Wonders Bird Show. The zoo is accredited by the [[Association of Zoos and Aquariums]] (AZA) and is a member of the [[World Association of Zoos and Aquariums]] (WAZA).

==History==
===Early history===
The zoo was formed some time around 1908. The earliest zoo record describes a collection consisting of two [[bear]]s and around fifty [[bird]]s of various species. According to the zoo's website, "bears, local [[Felidae|cat]]s, [[Ungulate|hoofstock]], and birds were added to the Zoo and housed in log cabin type exhibits."<ref name="zoo_about"/> The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) officially recognized the park opening in 1929 as the Roeding Park Zoo.
Only few animals were seen, but that number would later rise. The year attendance was around 2,000 and most of the visitors were from Fresno and the surrounding areas.

===1940{{endash}}1960===
The zoo grew substantially in the 1940s and 1950s, with 100 animals and more birds by 1947. The zoo's first foreman, Eldon "Curly" Blocker, was hired from the [[San Diego Zoo]]. In 1949, the zoo's [[Asian elephant]] Nosey (a name determined by a citywide "Name-the-Elephant" Contest) was acquired, with help from the [[Rotary International|Fresno Rotary Club]]. Her arrival coincided with Fresno's "49ers Days Rodeo Parade", and Nosey's presence in that parade was popular enough to spawn the creation of the Fresno Zoological Society, which would create interest in the zoo and provide a [[fundraising]] mechanism.<ref name="zoo_about"/> In the 1950s, ten large exhibits were added to the zoo grounds with [[monkey]]s, [[sea lion]]s, [[camel]]s, [[giraffe]]s, an African bird [[aviary]], a flamingo habitat, and on-site feed and medical compounds. The zoo became an institutional member of the AZA in 1957.<ref name="zoo_about"/> In 1965 Paul S. Chaffee was hired as the zoo's first director. In the late 1960s, the animal exhibits were renovated, with [[climate control]] being added to increase the comfort of the animals. In 1967, the large bird of prey exhibit was constructed, and in 1968, a master plan for future development was drafted.<ref name="zoo_about"/>

===1970{{endash}}1990===
[[File:FresnoRainforest.jpg|thumb|Colorful tropical birds in the rain forest exhibit.]]
The zoo's area expanded by a third, and new exhibits featuring [[bison]], [[Red Deer|elk]], and [[prairie dog]]s were added. In 1976, in honor of the [[United States Bicentennial|American Bicentennial Celebration]], the park's [[grizzly bear]] facility was expanded. In 1978, the Park Zoo Trust Fund (distinct from the Zoo Admissions Trust Fund) was established to make sure a portion of [[Concession stand|concession]] sales were used to improve the zoo. This freed the zoo from having to approve a budget with the City Council. In 1979, the zoo added the Edward A. Kane Reptile House, the world's first computer-controlled reptile habitat.

In 1982, Nosey the Elephant's habitat was renovated and three new elephants were brought in. A [[red wolf]] exhibit known as Wolf Woods was added in 1984, and the Doris and Karl Falk Wildlife Education Center was completed, becoming part of the zoo's Educational Center. In 1985, the zoo's name changed from the Roeding Park Zoo to the Fresno Zoo. In 1988, the zoo's walk-through rainforest exhibit was added. 1989 saw the addition of a large classroom wing, and the implementation of the Adopt-an-Animal fundraising program.<ref name="zoo_about"/> Paul S. Chaffee, the zoo's director since 1965, died in 1990, and the Fresno Zoo was renamed the Chaffee Zoological Gardens of Fresno in his honor. In 1993, Nosey the elephant died at the age of 47.<ref name="zoo_about"/>

===2000{{endash}}present===
[[File:SeaLionCove.jpg|thumb|The underwater viewing area at Sea Lion Cove.]]
[[File:KopjeLodge.jpg|thumb|The Kopje Lodge, part of the new African Adventure exhibit.]]
In 2004, "Measure Z" was passed by the voters (73%) in Fresno to raise money to expand the zoo, and to improve the animal exhibits. The [[US$]]150 million project was contingent upon the submission and review of an environmental impact report. The name of the zoo was shortened to Fresno Chaffee Zoo in 2006. In 2007, a traveling "Stingray Bay" exhibit visited and attracted large crowds. Several [[stingray]]s were bred while they were visiting Fresno. In 2009, a permanent Stingray Bay exhibit was opened, funded by Measure Z. In the rain forest exhibit, the former butterfly house (Maddis House) reopened as the Tropical Treasures exhibit in March 2009, with [[poison dart frog]]s and a [[sloth]] among other species.

In August 2012, a very large Sea Lion Cove, designed after the [[Central Coast (California)|Central Coast]]’s [[Point Lobos]], was opened. It contains 250,000 gallon saltwater tank with rock outcrops and islands, while preserving the redwood trees that surround the enclosures. A 35-ft viewing glass allows guest to watch the sea lions underwater. This exhibit also includes [[Brown pelican]]s. This was the first major exhibit funded by Measure Z.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.mattconstruction.com/project-detail/civic/fresno-chaffee-zoo-sea-lion-cove|publisher=MATT Construction Corporation|title=Fresno Chaffee Zoo Sea Lion Cove|website=mattconstruction.com}}</ref> The old sea lion enclosure was repurposed for [[North American river otter|river otter]]s.

In January 2014, ground was broken for the approximately 18-acre "African Adventure" expansion doubling the size of the zoo and including large animal exhibits such as [[lions]], breeding elephants, [[cheetahs]], rhinos, [[meerkats]], [[Hippopotamus|hippos]], [[gorilla]]s, and [[penguin]]s. Measure Z, which provided funding for capital zoo projects, was renewed by voters in November 2014.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.thebusinessjournal.com/news/sports-and-entertainment/9897-with-final-ok-chaffee-zoo-expansion-kicks-off-jan-6|title=With final OK, Chaffee Zoo expansion kicks off Jan. 6|date=2013-06-12|website=thebusinessjournal.com|publisher=The Business Journal|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304104831/http://thebusinessjournal.com/news/sports-and-entertainment/9897-with-final-ok-chaffee-zoo-expansion-kicks-off-jan-6|archive-date=2016-03-04|url-status=dead}}</ref>

On October 15, 2015, phase one of African Adventure opened. The 13 acre exhibit is home to over 100 animals including lions, [[African elephant]]s, cheetahs, [[White rhinoceros]]es, meerkats, [[giraffe]]s, [[ostrich]]es, and several antelope and birds.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fresnobee.com/entertainment/article39296850.html|last1=Tehee|first1=Joshua|title=Your guide to Fresno Chaffee Zoo's new African Adventure|website=fresnobee.com|date=2016-10-16|publisher=[[The Fresno Bee]]}}</ref> In 2016, the zoo opened the "Roo Walkabout," an Australian walk-through exhibit which features [[red kangaroo]]s, [[emu]]s and [[kookaburra]]s.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fresnochaffeezoo.org/roo-walkabout/|title=Roo Walkabout|work=fresnochaffeezoo.org|access-date=2017-02-25|language=en-US|publisher=Fresno Chaffee Zoo}}</ref> That year set a new attendance record with just under 1 million visitors.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article125789704.html|title=Chaffee Zoo nears 1 million visitors in 2016, says more projects to come|publisher=The Fresno Bee|work=fresnobee.com|access-date=2017-02-25|language=en|last1=Rodriguez-Delgado|first1=Cresencio|date=2017-01-11}}</ref>

Attendance dropped significantly from 2016 to 2017, to 833,114 guests;<ref name=":0" /> 2018 saw another slight drop to 828,000 guests.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 17, 2019 |title=Fresno's Chaffee Zoo Corporation Board of Directors Meeting |url=https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/01.17.2019-FCZC-Board-of-Directors-Meeting-Minutes.pdf |access-date=October 2, 2023 |website=Fresno Chaffee Zoo}}</ref> While no major new exhibits opened in 2017, May 2018 saw the debut of a new children's water attraction named "Wilderness Falls." This new play area was designed to allow younger guests to "cool off and make a splash in the waterfall, follow the footprints and explore the wilderness, and discover the fire lookout tower."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fresnochaffeezoo.org/experiences/wilderness-falls/ |title = Wilderness Falls - Fresno Chaffee Zoo}}</ref> Work also began in late 2018 and wrapped up in late 2019<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Fresno Chaffee Zoo: 2017 Annual Report |url=https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/2018_AR-Final.pdf |access-date=October 2, 2023 |website=Fresno Chaffee Zoo}}</ref> on an infrastructure project designed to enable future zoo expansion, including the forthcoming "Kingdoms of Asia" project, as well as a new [[warthog]] and tortoise exhibit.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abc30.com/community-events/fresno-chaffee-zoo-prepares-for-next-big-exhibit/4833398/ |title = Fresno Chaffee Zoo prepares for next big exhibit - ABC30 Fresno}}</ref> The warthog/tortoise exhibit opened in African Adventure in June 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.costofwisconsin.com/fresno-chaffee-zoo-warthog-exhibit/ |title = Fresno Chaffee Zoo - Warthog Exhibit - Cost of Wisconsin, Inc.| date=7 June 2019 }}</ref>

The zoo was closed for approximately three months during the spring of 2020 due to COVID-19.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://abc30.com/fresno-chaffee-zoo-reopening-opening-when-does-the-reopen-is-open/6241153/ |title = Fresno Chaffee Zoo to reopen to visitors on Friday, officials say - ABC30 Fresno| date=10 June 2020 }}</ref> Despite the closure, planning and design was completed in mid-2020 for the Kingdoms of Asia exhibit, and the zoo officially broke ground on the new exhibit on September 24 of that year.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Oliveira |first=Jason |date=September 24, 2020 |title=Fresno Chaffee Zoo begins construction on 'Kingdoms of Asia' exhibit |work=ABC 30 Action News |url=https://abc30.com/fresno-zoo-kingdoms-of-asia/6547492/ |access-date=October 2, 2023}}</ref> This new themed area, which will repurpose and renovate existing exhibits, has been billed as an "immersive southeast Asian forest," including a large area "themed after aspects of Ta Prohm, Angkor, Cambodia." The new exhibit will include habitats for "the [[Malayan Tiger]], [[Indian Rhinoceros]], [[Orangutan]]s, [[Asian small-clawed otter]], and [[Sloth Bear]], song birds, bats, and more."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://clrdesign.com/project/kingdoms-of-asia/ |title = Kingdoms of Asia - CLR Design}}</ref>

== Kingdoms of Asia ==
The "Kingdom of Asia" exhibit opened in 2023,<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-05-01 |title='Kingdoms of Asia' at Fresno Chaffee Zoo to open in June |url=https://abc30.com/fresno-chaffee-zoo-kingdoms-of-asia-new-exhibit-opening-date-announced/13201840/ |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=ABC30 Fresno |language=en}}</ref> and features tigers, rhinos, orangutans, and other Asian species.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kingdoms of Asia |url=https://clrdesign.com/project/kingdoms-of-asia/ |access-date=2023-11-28 |website=CLR Design |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist |refs=

<ref name="zoo_about">
{{Cite web
|url=https://www.fresnochaffeezoo.org/about/
|title=About: A history of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo
|work=fresnochaffeezoo.com
|publisher=Fresno Chaffee Zoo
|access-date=27 February 2011
}}</ref>

<ref name="aza_list">
{{ZooOrg|aza|zoos|accessdate=27 June 2011}}
</ref>

<ref name="waza_list">
{{ZooOrg|waza|zoos|accessdate=27 June 2011}}
</ref>

}}

==External links==
{{Commons category-inline}}
*{{Official website|http://www.fresnochaffeezoo.com}}

{{Zoos of California}}

{{Fresno}}
{{Portal bar|Animals}}

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[[Category:Zoos in California]]
[[Category:San Joaquin Valley]]
[[Category:Geography of Fresno, California]]
[[Category:Economy of Fresno, California]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Fresno County, California]]
[[Category:Tourist attractions in Fresno, California]]