The Fresno Zoo has changed a great deal – for the better – over the past two decades. It started out, as many zoos did, as public entertainment. Visitors came to see examples of different animal species from around the world. The animals were housed in typical tiny, cement, rectangular cages. The goal was to show people "what a lion looks like." That the lion lived in an empty cement cage was of no concern.

Over the years, the function of zoos has changed. The zoos now do more than just entertain. Zoos now seek to educate people about the animals and the environments they come from – not only "what a lion looks like," but also "what lions do" and "where lions live." Zoos are also seeking to enrich the lives of their animals by giving them a larger, more natural environment – dirt and grass to walk on, trees to climb, water to swim in, a social group to interact with.

The Chaffee Zoo is right in step with the times. Over the years, the Chaffee Zoo has moved its animals out of the tiny wire cages from the 1950’s and 1960’s into larger, more natural cages.

The wolves have moved from a tiny rectangular pen to a large sunken enclosure with a den. The elephants have moved from a little paddock to a much larger enclosure with trees and a pool. The giraffe’s cage has doubled in size by combining it with the neighboring enclosure. The sad little row of eight or ten cat cages was replaced by two huge, tall, landscaped cages for the lions and tigers. The cement primate enclosures have been collapsed into one or two big enclosures, and the same was done for the bears.

The original little cages, where they remain, are now by and large unused, or used to house much smaller animals. All in all, the thrust has been to house the animals in larger, landscaped cages. To do this, the zoo has had to relocate some of its animals (like the polar bears) to other zoos as there was no longer room for them in the new layout. I have no problem with this – I’d rather see fewer, well kept animals in suitable enclosures than more animals kept in tiny cages.

The Chaffee Zoo has also started to get into conservation, and I believe it has a few breeding projects going, including one with Golden Lion Tamarins. They also participate in many successful endangered reptile breeding programs.

I have a great deal of respect for the Chaffee Zoo, because it has consistently directed money into the well-being of its animals, over many decades. The Chaffee Zoo is now a beautiful, modern Zoo that is a delight to visit.

PRACTICALITIES

The Chaffee Zoo is located in Balboa Park, which also contains a section with rides for children, and "Storyland," a theme park for kids starring favorite storybook characters. Parking is free – follow the signs and park near the entrance to the zoo. If you have small kids, you can do some of the zoo in the morning, have a picnic by the pond, and do rides in the afternoon. I have always found that doing the zoo and Storyland in one day is a little much – the kids get tired out by one and are too exhausted to appreciate the other.

The Zoo is a fairly large one, but it can be done in one long day if you are prepared to walk your feet off. Two days would definitely be enough to see the whole thing well.

If you go in the summer, be forewarned that Fresno can get VERY hot – over 100 during the day. Bring snacks and water and good walking shoes. The Zoo has tried to plant shade trees vines all over the walkways, but there are still some scorching sunny stretches.

FAVORITE EXHIBITS

The Aviary

Definitely visit the aviary if you go to Chaffee. It is a huge aviary with thin wire webbing held up with giant logs – a far cry from harsh steel and chickenwire. It contains flocks of birds who have enough room to fly. Look for the sun conures, the pink ibises, and the large numbers of ducks. There is also an iguana that lives loose around the waterfall – try to find him. Anteaters live in sunken areas near the exit.

There is a butterfly aviary near the exit, but so far I have never seen it open.

The parrot house

If you like parrots, definitely go to the parrot aviary near the entrance to the zoo. It houses a dozen kinds of parrots, and you can walk right among them! Moluccan cockatoos, sulfur-crested cockatoos, umbrella cockatoos, galahs, rosellas – all perching, chewing, calling and flying only a few feet away!

Reptile House

This exhibit is especially attractive on a hot day, because it is one of the few exhibits that is air conditioned! The zoo has a nice collection of reptiles, with a particular focus on rare and endangered ones in breeding programs.

Giraffes

The giraffes now have room to run! I was thrilled at my last visit to see the giraffes gallop from one end of the pen to the other. They have a curious, slow-motion stride that is positively mesmerizing. Make sure to stop and look!

Gibbons

The gibbons, in a big cage near the old entrance to the zoo, across from the bears, have duetted on almost every visit I have made to the zoo. They whoop and call together, swinging from pole to pole. You can hear them all over the zoo – it is worth it to rush over and see the display!

Elephants

"Nosey," the old elephant I grew up with, died a few years ago, but there are several younger elephants now living in her big, new pen. There are viewing stands at several heights, with plastic windows for the young people.



Recommended: Yes