Fresno Chaffee Zoo Fresno Chaffee Zoo News 2023

Smaggledagle

Well-Known Member
5+ year member
Kingdoms of Asia will be opening (weather permitting) March 18, 2023. The mixed species hoof stock exhibit (tapir, babirusa, etc) will open a few months after.

The zoo should be breaking ground on the new conservation center in the next few weeks. That should be done by late 2023- early 2024.
 
That’s so exciting! I am hopefully going to go shortly after it opens to the public. If so, does anyone want an update on Kingdoms of Asia? Meaning a review of the completed exhibit.
 
The zoo should be breaking ground on the new conservation center in the next few weeks. That should be done by late 2023- early 2024.

What exactly is the conservation center going to be? Is it primarily an off-exhibit reptile breeding facility? Will it have any public exhibits in it?
 
What exactly is the conservation center going to be? Is it primarily an off-exhibit reptile breeding facility? Will it have any public exhibits in it?
It is a breeding center for the parks blunt-nosed leopard lizards. There will be a public viewing window to see the animals/working being done. It’s has room to add a few more species conservation projects in the future. In the master plan, it sits next to the new reptile house on the conservation corridor, basically creating a reptile-centric area.
 
I think it’s cool how knowledgeable you are on the zoos information! Do you know of a source I can go to find Fresno Zoo information on as well? Or do you just have to contact the zoo itself?
 
I know I'm doing this now but @Adventuredl , you could perhaps enter updates on which birds and aviaries are going back on exhibit on here?

On the Bird Flu closure page, you mentioned that the emu, kookaburras, and the Australasian Aviary have been opened up again.
 
I know I'm doing this now but @Adventuredl , you could perhaps enter updates on which birds and aviaries are going back on exhibit on here?

On the Bird Flu closure page, you mentioned that the emu, kookaburras, and the Australasian Aviary have been opened up again.
Birds/Bird areas on display:
Emu
Kookaburra
Australasian Aviary
Ostrich
Bird house
Birds of prey- back in the next couple weeks
Flamingos- back in a couple of weeks
Bird show- in a few weeks

Birds still off exhibit:
Rainforest
Crested Screamers
Pelicans
 
Birds/Bird areas on display:
Emu
Kookaburra
Australasian Aviary
Ostrich
Bird house
Birds of prey- back in the next couple weeks
Flamingos- back in a couple of weeks
Bird show- in a few weeks

Birds still off exhibit:
Rainforest
Crested Screamers
Pelicans

Thank you providing this update. How did you learn about the return of these species? I tried to find input in their newsletter but couldn't find anything.
 
I have insider information (I am the insider, I work there;)). The zoo hasn’t made any announcements yet but if you go to the zoo right now these species are out or will be out soon.

Awesome!

The Tropical Rainforest Aviary is my favorite spot in the zoo, followed by the Australasian Aviary.

I'm planning on taking the day off work to attend the opening of Kingdoms of Asia. Any input on a members' only preview date (I have membership with your zoo)?

Is their bird aviary in Kingdoms of Asia a walkthrough aviary or just a large, enclosed flight?
 
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Awesome!

The Tropical Rainforest Aviary is my favorite spot in the zoo, followed by the Australasian Aviary.

I'm planning on taking the day off work to attend the opening of Kingdoms of Asia. Any input on a members' only preview date (I have membership with your zoo)?

Is their bird aviary in Kingdoms of Asia a walkthrough aviary or just a large, enclosed flight?
The members preview should be a day before it opens, as long as they got the construction deadline (the significant rain California had may have delayed opening, we are not sure yet.)

The aviary is one large sized flight cage.
 
Can anyone give a species list for Kingdoms of Asia? Preferably including the birds that will be housed in the aviary.
Sure, I gotcha.

Malayan Tiger
Asian Songbirds (not sure about species, presumably ones already in the zoo?)
False Gharial
Sloth Bear, Asian Small-Clawed Otter
Sumatran Orangutan, Siamang
Rhinoceros Hornbill
Malayan Tapir, Babirusa, Asian Forest Tortoise
Komodo Dragon

These are the ones I know off the top of my head, but other than the songbirds (and *maybe* some fish in with the false gharial?) that should be everything!
 
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Thanks! I think there will be Rhinoceros hornbill by the orangutan exhibit. From the banners I’ve seen around the construction site I’m guessing that there will be Bali myna. But, I didn’t know if there had been a confirmed list yet.
 
I will probably go to the zoo once Kingdoms of Asia opens to the public. Then, I will post a species list for the exhibit and if I get to it, maybe all the signed species around the zoo.
 
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