Fresno Chaffee Zoo Fresno Chaffee Zoo News 2021

Coelacanth18

Coelacanth18

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To start off: the zoo reopened two weeks ago as the state-mandated COVID-19 lockdown in California was rolled back.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo reopens after 6 weeks

Secondly, a question for anyone with information: is there a revised timeline on the construction and opening of the upcoming hippo expansion? It was originally slated to open in summer 2020, but from what I can ascertain construction has not even begun yet. Are they waiting until the Asia construction is completed before moving on to hippos, or has the plan to do that area changed?
 
Coelacanth18 said:
To start off: the zoo reopened two weeks ago as the state-mandated COVID-19 lockdown in California was rolled back.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo reopens after 6 weeks

Secondly, a question for anyone with information: is there a revised timeline on the construction and opening of the upcoming hippo expansion? It was originally slated to open in summer 2020, but from what I can ascertain construction has not even begun yet. Are they waiting until the Asia construction is completed before moving on to hippos, or has the plan to do that area changed?
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i asked the zoo about that and they told me until after kingdoms of Asia is completed fully in 2022 that they would be getting to work on the hippo exhibit. My best guess is that a year or 2 after kingdoms of Asia opens they’re gonna break ground on the hippo exhibit
 
On February 8th, the zoo posted on Facebook that their Valley Farm exhibit is now open to the public with Covid-friendly guidelines such as a capacity limit.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

On February 25th, it was reported that the zoo is opening a dinosaur-themed attraction named Zoorassic Park. The attraction will open on March 1st and would be running through August 1st, and will feature new species along with returning species of dinosaurs.

Zoorassic Park returning to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo next week

On February 27th, it was reported that a tree fell down outside the African Adventures exhibit, blocking the only passageway in and out of the exhibit. A visitor was hurt, but survived with minor injuries.

Visitor at Fresno Chaffee zoo injured by falling tree
 
This post relates to a brand new exhibit for endangered tortoises opened in 2020. The species on exhibit are Galapagos tortoise (adult M Knobby Volcan Alcedo vandenburghi and 3 juvenile 8-year old Volcan Darwin microphyes) as well as a breeding group of Burmese mountain tortoise (the latter have laid eggs the month before airing the video and they were mating at this time). Of particular note is the informative presentation by curator (?) Steve!
Link:
https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=698843584037949

The juvenile Galapagos giants arrived in 2018 from St. Augustine.
 
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Any updates on the planned African River complex (hippos, crocs, antelope, birds)? I know Kingdoms of Asia is the priority right now, but I have had trouble finding information on this upcoming exhibit.
 
I’ve been trying to find out about a female Masaii giraffe named Kiden. She was in the Oregon Zoo in Portland. I heard from a friend that they moved her to Chaffee Zoo. There is absolutely no information about her. Maybe they won’t say anything until she’s out of quarantine? Could they have decided to re-name her? Thanks in advance for any information someone could share!
 
zeynep said:
I’ve been trying to find out about a female Masaii giraffe named Kiden. She was in the Oregon Zoo in Portland. I heard from a friend that they moved her to Chaffee Zoo. There is absolutely no information about her. Maybe they won’t say anything until she’s out of quarantine? Could they have decided to re-name her? Thanks in advance for any information someone could share!
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She is still in quarantine.
 
Construction update:
- With Covid the Kingdom’s of Asia exhibit is delayed until 2022 and they are rushing to complete it by then. It will most likely open in 2 phases with phase 1 being redone orangutan, hornbill, Komodo and Asian forest exhibit featuring Malayan tapir, muntjac, babirusa? and Asian brown tortoises? replacing one horned rhino. This phase should be opening late 2021 with the rest ( tiger, aviary, tomistoma, otter/bear and cafe) opening late 2022.
- African River probably will end up being done by 2024-2025 based on multiple construction projects including:
- Ambassador building (finished)
-zooflex ( new commissary, administrative building)
- valley farm/ petting zoo closure and demo ( for kingdoms of Asia)
- conservation building (breaking ground soon)
- Australian aviary renovation ( open during renovation, mainly prep for species switch out)
- Tropical treasures renovation ( basically same reason as Australian aviary but with spruce up)
- With a new director the zoo is now in the starting process of a master plan. It’s in its very early stages but concepts being tossed around are currently:
- new zoo entrance
- reptile house redo (demolition of the building and rebuild on current space)
- South America
- new petting zoo
 
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