Fresno Chaffee Zoo history

In the 1930’s the Zoo continued to grow in a rather haphazard manner as more animals were added to the collection.

One of the first major exhibits built after the formation of the Society in 1949 was a modern “Monkey Island”, complete with indoor den and a water moat.

In the 1950’s exhibits for the sea lion, camel, sun bear, hippopotamus, giraffe, assorted birds, and flamingos were completed.

The Roeding Park Zoo became an institutional member of the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA) in 1957.

One of the most effective early exhibits was the walk-through aviary, constructed in 1960 by the Park Division with Zoo Society generated funds.

In 1965 Paul S. Chaffee was hired as the zoo's first director.

The first Zoo master plan was drafted in 1968 to guide the future development of the Zoo.

In the 1970’s the Education Coordinator was hired to individually operate the Zoomobile at schools and to develop other educational programs.

In 1971, Zoolynx was founded and the present docent program was initiated.

In 1976, in honor of the American Bicentennial Celebration, the park's grizzly bear facility was expanded.

The sea lion exhibit was renovated and swan lake was remodeled in 1977.

In 1978, the Park Zoo (Trust) Fund was established to control the revenue received from the operation and to use the fund wisely for the improvement of the zoo.

The facility was built in 1979 at a cost of about $633,000.

During the late 1980’s all of the exhibits for the antelope, giraffe, camels, llamas, and zebras were remodeled and new shelters and barns were built.

In 1982, Nosey the Elephant's habitat was renovated and three new elephants were brought in.

In 1984, the Doris & Karl Falk Wildlife Education Center was completed through the donation of funds from Drs.

In 1985, the zoo's name changed from the Roeding Park Zoo to the Fresno Zoo.

In 1988, the Tropical Rain Forest Exhibit, at a cost of about $2.2 million, was completed.

1989 saw the addition of a large classroom wing, and the implementation of the Adopt-an-Animal fundraising program.

The Fresno Zoo was renamed the Chaffee Zoological Gardens of Fresno in 1990 in honor of its longtime director, Doctor Paul S. Chaffee, who passed away that year.

In 1991, Ralph Waterhouse became the new Zoo Director.

In 1992, Ross Laird’s Winged Wonders Bird Show began its presentations in the newly fenced area around the Amphitheater, adjacent to the Zoo.

In 1993-94 the Education Department hired an Education Specialist and Natural Historian; visitors were offered an opportunity to experience a ride on a camel; a new giraffe barn and expansion to the hoofstock exhibit was completed.

A new Zoo Master Plan was adopted in 1996.

A 240-acre off-site conservation center was established in 1997 to house and breed hoofstock.

A 240-acre off-site conservation center was established in 1997 to house and breed hoofstock. It was planned to expand the number of animals managed by the Zoo and be a resource for other zoos in the western United States Due to permit problems, an essential road could not be constructed and the center was closed in December 2001.

Director Ralph Waterhouse retired in 2003.

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.

With significant support from local corporation Pelco, the measure passed by 73% and the Zoo began receiving funds on April 1, 2005.

A different organization, the private non-profit entity, Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo Corporation, that took over the Chaffee Zoo from the City of Fresno on January 1, 2006, is responsible for the Zoo.

In July 2007 the Zoo released a Facility Master Plan that will serve as the “roadmap” for future Zoo development.

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 frogs and a sloth among other species.

In August 2012, a very large Sea Lion Cove, designed after the Central Coast’s Point Lobos, was opened.

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, hippos, gorillas, and penguins.

On October 15, 2015, phase one of African Adventure opened.

In 2016, the zoo opened the "Roo Walkabout," an Australian walk-through exhibit which features red kangaroos, emus and kookaburras.