Chaffee Zoological Gardens
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| Chaffee Zoological Gardens | |
| Date opened | 1929 |
| Location | Fresno, California, USA |
| Accreditations/ Memberships |
AZA |
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The Chaffee Zoological Gardens (or, informally, Chaffee Zoo) is Fresno, California's only zoo. In addition to many animal displays, it is also the home of Ross Laird's Winged Wonders Bird Show. In the past, it has also been known as the Roeding Park Zoo and the Fresno Zoo.
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[edit] History
[edit] Early days
What would eventually become the Chaffee Zoo was formed some time around 1908. The first animals were largely comprised of unwanted pets which had been donated and Sezer Tamcakir. The earliest zoo record states a collection comprised of two bears and around fifty birds of various species. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) officially recognizes the park opening in 1929 as the Roeding Park Zoo.
[edit] 1940s
The zoo grew both in size and quality of facilities substantially in the 1940s and 50's, reaching the 100 animal milestone in 1947, with still more birds in residence. The zoo's first foreman, Eldon "Curly" Blocker, was hired away from the San Diego Zoo, and his status made it easier for the zoo to expand its collection. In 1949, the zoo's iconic Asian elephant Nosey was obtained with help from the Fresno Rotary Club (Nosey's name was determined by a city-wide "Name-the-Elephant Contest"). Her arrival coincided with Fresno's "49ers Days Rodeo Parade", and Nosey's presence in that parade was popular enough to spurn the creation of the Fresno Zoological Society, which would create interest in the zoo and provide fundraising mechanisms for years to come.
[edit] 1950s
In the 1950s, ten large exhibits were added to the zoo grounds, ranging from monkeys, sea lions, camels, giraffes, an African bird aviary, to a polar bear habitat and on-site feed and medical compounds. The zoo became an institutional member of the AZA in 1957.
[edit] 1960s
In the 1960s, the zoo's operation underwent some major changes: in response to increased vandalism, the park's grounds were fenced off; a 25 cent admission fee was implemented; a Parks Zoo Admissions Trust Fund was established to provide a link between the zoo and the Fresno City Council. In 1965, Dr. Paul Chaffee was hired as the zoo's first director and veterinarian, and the management duties switched from the Zoo Society to the director. In the late 1960s, the animal exhibits were renovated, with features such as climate control being added to increase the comfort of the animals. Nutritional programs were also reevaluated, which extended the lifespans of the zoo's animals. In 1967, the large Bird of Prey exhibit was constructed, and in 1968 a Zoo Master Plan was drafted, to guide the future development of the Zoo.
[edit] 1970s
The Zoo's area expanded by a third, and new exhibits featuring bison, elk, and prairie dogs were added. In 1976, in honor of the American Bicentennial Celebration, the park's grizzly bear facility was expanded. In 1978, the Park Zoo Trust Fund (different from the Zoo Admissions Trust Fund) was established to make sure a portion of concession sales were used to improve the zoo. This freed the Zoo from having to approve a budget with the City Council. In 1979, the Zoo added the Edward A. Kane Reptile House, which was the world's first computer-controlled reptile habitat.
[edit] 1980s
In 1982, Nosey the Elephant's habitat was renovated and three new elephants were brought in to live alongside her. A red wolf exhibit known as Wolf Woods was added in 1984, and the Doris and Karl Falk Wildlife Education Center was completed. It would become the backbone for the zoo's Educational Center. In 1985, the Zoo's name changed from the Roeding Park Zoo to the Fresno Zoo. In 1988, the Zoo's walkthrough rainforest exhibit was added. 1989 saw the addition of a large classroom wing, and the implementation of the Adopt-an-Animal fundraising program.
[edit] 1990s
The Fresno Zoo name did not last long, as it was changed to the Chaffee Zoological Gardens in 1990, in honor of Dr. Chaffee who died that year. Ralph Waterhouse became the director of the Zoo in 1991, the same year that the Zoo's entrance was extended to connect with the nearby Roeding Park Storyland and Playland attractions. The Winged Wonders Bird Show was added, with shows taking place in the newly built Amphitheater. A full-time veterinarian was hired in 1992. In 1993, Nosey the Elephant died at age 47, and a bronze sculpture of a baby elephant was placed in front of her habitat.
[edit] External links
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Conservation biology | List of zoos | List of zoo associations | Zoological Garden | Menagerie | Tourist attraction | Wildlife Conservation | Endangered species |
