For nearly a century, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo has delighted children and adults alike with a menagerie of exotic creatures and thrilling experiences. Yet its mission extends far beyond simply showcasing animals. The Zoo aims to inspire people to care for animals, create connections, build communities, and save wildlife. “Fresno Chaffee Zoo cares for a variety of species from African elephants to Madagascar hissing cockroaches,” shares Emily Valdez, Marketing Manager at the Zoo. “In total, the Zoo cares for approximately 10,902 animals across 250 different species,” and they can be viewed daily.

“The American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA, now AZA) officially recognized the Roeding Park Zoo in 1929,” Emily explains. “In 1965, Dr. Paul Chaffee was hired as the first director of the Roeding Park Zoo. Responsibility for management of all aspects of the Zoo shifted from the Zoological Society to the Zoo Director. With the addition of Dr. Chaffee, new programs of nutrition, quarantine, treatment, and education were established to meet the growing professional standards of zoos.” In recognition of Dr. Paul Chaffee’s outstanding contributions, the Zoo’s name was officially changed to Fresno Chaffee Zoo in May 2006.

Elephants have long been a primary attraction at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, and it all started with Nosey. “In 1949, Nosey the elephant was purchased with the help of the Fresno Rotary Club and donations from thousands of school children,” elaborates Emily. This beloved Asian elephant lived to the age of 47, and although she passed away in 1993, her legacy remains ingrained in the Zoo’s history. A bronze sculpture of a baby elephant was placed in front of the elephant exhibit during Nosey’s final birthday celebration, and it remains on display to this day. The Zoo’s love for Asian animals grew further with Kingdoms of Asia, the newest exhibit, which debuted in June 2023 to outstanding reception. “This area was a reimagination of the heart of the Zoo, creating new spaces for Malayan tigers, sloth bears, Komodo dragons, songbirds, and many more,” Emily adds.

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo witnessed a major shift in support in the early 2000s. “In 2003, a ten-year-old girl named Angel Arellano sent a letter to the Fresno Bee expressing her support for the Zoo,” details Emily. “That effort, along with years of working towards privatization of the Zoo, culminated in Measure Z, which appeared on the ballot in November 2004 and passed by 73%.” About a decade later, two fascinating exhibits were added to the Zoo. First, Sea Lion Cove opened in August 2012. “This award-winning exhibit was modeled after Point Lobos, California, and features harbor seals and sea lions,” says Emily.

Then, in 2015, African Adventure opened to the public. This 13-acre expansion created space for many species, including lions, giraffes, African elephants, and white rhinos. As of August, this section of the Zoo has not one, but two new additions—African elephant moms Nolwazi and Amahle gave birth to male calves within two weeks of each other. “This is a historic moment for the zoo,” says CEO and Zoo Director Jon Forrest Dohlin. “We could not be more excited for our teams here at the Zoo and the entire Central Valley Community as this is the first elephant calf born in the zoo’s 95-year history.” Dohlin also acknowledges, “This incredible milestone would not be possible if not for the continued dedication from our entire Animal Care and Vet Team here at the Zoo. I am incredibly grateful and in awe of their passion for the animals in our care.”

If you think you’ve seen or done it all at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, think again. “The Zoo offers many different programs,” Emily points out. “We have animal chats and conservation interpreters throughout the Zoo to talk with our visitors. We also offer a variety of educational programs including behind-the-scenes, ZooCamp, Roo & You, and field trips. There is always something new to do at the Zoo!” Emily assures. And that’s all thanks to the work of the Zoo crew. “The Zoo has over 300 staff, working across various departments to achieve our mission.” She continues, “The Zoo has two boards: the Fresno Chaffee Zoo Board currently chaired by Kyle Kirkland and the Zoo Authority Board chaired by Michelle Roman. Jon Forrest Dohlin joined the zoo in 2021 as the Zoo Director and CEO.”

In 2023 alone, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo welcomed over 910,000 visitors—on average, it receives about 850,000 visitors annually. “People often think the Zoo is just for families with young children, but no one is too old to enjoy the Zoo!” Emily affirms. “We even offer adult-only events, including Roar & Pour and 21+ nights for our big seasonal events.” The zoo’s most popular events include the Ice Cream Zoofari, Roar & Pour, ZooBoo, and IllumiNature. “These programs are spread throughout the year to offer guests fun, engaging experiences in every season.” This year marks the 95th anniversary of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo, and while it doesn’t currently have plans for this birthday, preparations are underway for its centennial in 2029.

Although the Zoo has always been located in Roeding Park, a lot has changed over the years, and it is keen to move with the times. “Guests who visit the Zoo will notice a difference in habitat style and design between new spaces, like African Adventure and Kingdoms of Asia, compared to areas of the Zoo which have not yet been updated,” acknowledges Emily. “There is a large focus on building larger spaces for the animals that better represent their native habitats and the species they would naturally encounter. Our new master plan sets out to transform the remainder of our footprint in this same immersive style.”

“In the coming years, the Zoo hopes to reimagine some of its areas to feature a California experience,” Emily divulges. It also hopes to increase its impact on local wildlife conservation. Yet at its core, “the Zoo has always been a place for families and the community to gather and continues to be a main focus as we plan for our future,” says Emily. “Like all AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, we are continuously learning, innovating, and looking for ways to improve our practices. ... Our vision is a just future that begins and ends with us and makes possible a world where people and wildlife thrive together. We hope that through our mission and vision, we can continue to be a driving force in local conservation efforts and continue to make our community proud of the work we do.” For the love of animals and community, it’s time to revisit the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.

Editorial Director Lauren Barisic
Photos courtesy of the Fresno Chaffee Zoo