Fresno Chaffee Zoo Fresno Chaffee Zoo News 2025

Hey everyone!
Long-time zoo-nerd,first time in the Fresno Chaffee Zoo News 2025 thread! I’ve been deep in the world of zoos for a while now—tracking animal transfers like they’re part of a fantasy league and getting unreasonably excited about exhibit master plans.So naturally, I had to jump into this thread since Fresno Chaffee has been doing some amazing things recently.

Between Kingdoms of Asia, the whisper of red wolf pups, and the Pacific Rim Aquarium on the horizon, there’s lots to geek out over.I have not personally visited the zoo but am looking forward to sometime this year.(and yes I love to grab several paper maps as if they are souvenirs).

I am looking forward to chatting with all of you,swapping notes, and maybe even hearing some behind-the-scenes scoop I haven’t caught yet. Let’s keep the zoo gossip going!

—Best,X213G
 
X213G said:
Hey everyone!
Long-time zoo-nerd,first time in the Fresno Chaffee Zoo News 2025 thread! I’ve been deep in the world of zoos for a while now—tracking animal transfers like they’re part of a fantasy league and getting unreasonably excited about exhibit master plans.So naturally, I had to jump into this thread since Fresno Chaffee has been doing some amazing things recently.

Between Kingdoms of Asia, the whisper of red wolf pups, and the Pacific Rim Aquarium on the horizon, there’s lots to geek out over.I have not personally visited the zoo but am looking forward to sometime this year.(and yes I love to grab several paper maps as if they are souvenirs).

I am looking forward to chatting with all of you,swapping notes, and maybe even hearing some behind-the-scenes scoop I haven’t caught yet. Let’s keep the zoo gossip going!

—Best,X213G
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No offense but is this AI generated?
 
Some updates from my most recent visit on Tuesday, May 13, 2025:

All three babirusas were out on exhibit together, which was fun to see. It was my first time seeing the male, Berani, on display. A large shade cloth has also been installed over the center of their enclosure.

According to a staff member, the zoo has recently acquired some new male red kangaroos. They didn’t say exactly how many (I’m guessing maybe two or three), but mentioned there are no plans to breed them. It sounded like breeding wouldn’t be possible for these new males. When I visited, the kangaroos were still being introduced to their exhibit. Roo Walkabout was closed to guests in the morning, but the walkthrough path reopened in the afternoon. I didn’t see the new roos, though. I’m assuming they were in the attached side yard, which had temporary barricades and caution tape around the viewing area—probably to give them space to settle in.

That same staff member also mentioned that a male peccary has been added to the group for breeding purposes, or at least that was my understanding.

The LaMancha goats have been removed from the Valley Farm petting area.

The path along the south side of the Andean condor exhibit at the Birds of Prey Aviary is currently blocked off to give the birds privacy while they nest.

This change happened a while ago, but the zoo has updated its logo and website. That includes new logos across their social media and a new entrance sign.
 
ChaffeeZooFan said:
Some updates from my most recent visit on Tuesday, May 13, 2025:

All three babirusas were out on exhibit together, which was fun to see. It was my first time seeing the male, Berani, on display. A large shade cloth has also been installed over the center of their enclosure.

According to a staff member, the zoo has recently acquired some new male red kangaroos. They didn’t say exactly how many (I’m guessing maybe two or three), but mentioned there are no plans to breed them. It sounded like breeding wouldn’t be possible for these new males. When I visited, the kangaroos were still being introduced to their exhibit. Roo Walkabout was closed to guests in the morning, but the walkthrough path reopened in the afternoon. I didn’t see the new roos, though. I’m assuming they were in the attached side yard, which had temporary barricades and caution tape around the viewing area—probably to give them space to settle in.

That same staff member also mentioned that a male peccary has been added to the group for breeding purposes, or at least that was my understanding.

The LaMancha goats have been removed from the Valley Farm petting area.

The path along the south side of the Andean condor exhibit at the Birds of Prey Aviary is currently blocked off to give the birds privacy while they nest.

This change happened a while ago, but the zoo has updated its logo and website. That includes new logos across their social media and a new entrance sign.
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the shade structures is for the Malayan Tapirs too as they have light sensitivity issues or at the least the male does.

Also the male peccary is Oliver from the Sequoia Park Zoo. I was just there yesterday and they told me one of their peccaries had a breeding recommendation at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
 
ChaffeeZooFan said:
Some updates from my most recent visit on Tuesday, May 13, 2025:

All three babirusas were out on exhibit together, which was fun to see. It was my first time seeing the male, Berani, on display. A large shade cloth has also been installed over the center of their enclosure.

According to a staff member, the zoo has recently acquired some new male red kangaroos. They didn’t say exactly how many (I’m guessing maybe two or three), but mentioned there are no plans to breed them. It sounded like breeding wouldn’t be possible for these new males. When I visited, the kangaroos were still being introduced to their exhibit. Roo Walkabout was closed to guests in the morning, but the walkthrough path reopened in the afternoon. I didn’t see the new roos, though. I’m assuming they were in the attached side yard, which had temporary barricades and caution tape around the viewing area—probably to give them space to settle in.

That same staff member also mentioned that a male peccary has been added to the group for breeding purposes, or at least that was my understanding.

The LaMancha goats have been removed from the Valley Farm petting area.

The path along the south side of the Andean condor exhibit at the Birds of Prey Aviary is currently blocked off to give the birds privacy while they nest.

This change happened a while ago, but the zoo has updated its logo and website. That includes new logos across their social media and a new entrance sign.
Click to expand...

I saw all three babirusa out when I went about a month ago too, didn't know it was big news or else I would have shared.

I'm glad to see they're still going to be breeding their roos and peccaries (especially the peccaries), didn't think they'd continue breeding those species considering that it looks like both species will be phased out per the zoo's masterplan.
 
BenFoxster said:
I saw all three babirusa out when I went about a month ago too, didn't know it was big news or else I would have shared.

I'm glad to see they're still going to be breeding their roos and peccaries (especially the peccaries), didn't think they'd continue breeding those species considering that it looks like both species will be phased out per the zoo's masterplan.
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It’s not really big news, but I thought I’d include it while talking about the exhibit for anyone who might not have known. There were some folks wondering back in January whether the male babirusa was actually at the zoo, which has since been confirmed elsewhere on ZooChat, but never in this thread.

Also, it should be noted that the roos are NOT planned for breeding. I should have made it clearer in my original post, but the staff member implied they are neutered.
 
Piece of January / March / May 2025 News Not Mentioned:

On January 6th, the zoo announced they helped in the confiscation of 40 animals of various species from the illegal pet trade in 2024.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

John Marchwick said:
Also the male peccary is Oliver from the Sequoia Park Zoo. I was just there yesterday and they told me one of their peccaries had a breeding recommendation at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Click to expand...

On March 5th, it was announced that Oliver will return to the Sequoia Park Zoo sometime later in 2025.

Sequoia Park Zoo

zoologicus said:
1.0 California sea lion Gordo was transferred from the Indianapolis Zoo to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo on January 13th, 2025.
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On May 30th, the zoo officially announced the arrival of the sea lion, which had its name changed to Morro.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

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On June 5th, the zoo announced that (1.1) six-banded armadillos named (Bull)Dozer and Tonka were born on February 11th which are now ambassador animals.

6.3K views · 310 reactions | Meet Our Armadillo Pups Dozer & Tonka! #pups | We're excited to formally introduce you to two exciting new additions to our Ambassador Animal program. Meet Dozer (professionally Bulldozer) and Tonka!... | By Fresno Chaffee Zoo | Facebook
Tiny Trailblazers: Fresno Chaffee Zoo Welcomes First Six-Banded Armadillo Ambassador Pups - Fresno Chaffee Zoo

* Not 2025 news, but in October 2024, it was announced that the zoo acquired (0.3) yellow-naped parrots, a (0.1) yellow-headed parrot, and a (0.1) roseate spoonbill from the San Francisco Zoo in California on September 6th, and transferred (3.0) pink-backed pelicans to San Francisco Zoo on September 8th. Also in October 2024, it was reported that the zoo was donated a building that was being used by the facility for administrative purposes after it passed a city council vote.
 
FrederickA said:
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Chaffee zoo has removed the anteater and has signs up about the new california expansion and new entrance.
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Looking forward to this new zoo area. Does this conform to the last Masterplan for Fresno's Chaffee Zoo itself?

Can you provide a plan of the entire layout?
 
Has construction on this project commenced? This sounds very exciting for the future of the zoo. I’m planning to visit in September is there anything I should be aware of?
 
X213G said:
Has construction on this project commenced? This sounds very exciting for the future of the zoo. I’m planning to visit in September is there anything I should be aware of?
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No. There is no construction for the project as of June 2025. There is just a sign announcing that the Californian project is coming and that is why the anteaters and capybaras are gone.

Be sure to see the conservation center with the blunt-nosed leopard lizards. The baby elephants are delightful. There are keeper talks throughout the zoo, throughout the day - they are a good chance to talk with the keepers if that is of interest to you.
 
Apes to Zebras to Nosey: One Hundred Years at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo (Chaffee, 2025) will be published on July 8th. It was written by Jean Chaffee, the widow of Dr. Paul Chaffee, and the book has an interesting title as it's difficult to pinpoint the exact start date for the zoo. Roeding Park Zoo is generally acknowledged to have been founded in 1907, although the AZA recognizes its opening as being in 1929, and yet the book is advertising the centenary and that seems a tad premature. Regardless, I will definitely buy it! :)

Amazon link:

Amazon.com

81Yz2lO5KzL._SL1360_.jpg
 
 
FrederickA said:
Well a thing of note regarding the addax is that one of the females arrived pregnant already and gave birth at the zoo a few weeks ago and I was told that the calf would be the only addax baby for now at least and that the wildebeest and sent out to different zoos for breeding in exchange for the addaxes; can't say where they come from though.
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So wildebeest have left the zoo?
 
ChaffeeZooFan said:
Some updates from my most recent visit on Tuesday, May 13, 2025:

All three babirusas were out on exhibit together, which was fun to see. It was my first time seeing the male, Berani, on display. A large shade cloth has also been installed over the center of their enclosure.
Click to expand...
I would now expect the babirusas to breed before not too long from now? Fingers crossed that both sows will produce calves.
 
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