THE EARLY HISTORY OF THE ZOO is very brief and vague. The period between 1920 and 1947 lacked official records and professional personnel. The first animals, unwanted pets, were donated and housed in make-shift cages. The first record of the zoo states that in 1908 it began with 2 bears and about 50 birds.

The American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AZA) officially recognizes that the Roeding Park Zoo opened in 1929.

The 40's and 50's saw the beginning of real growth for the Zoo. By 1947, the Roeding Park Zoo had grown considerably with a collection of about 100 animals and lots of birds.

In 1949 Nosey the elephant was purchased with the help of the Fresno Rotary Club and wide support throughout the valley.

A Name-the-Elephant Contest was held in anticipation of the new arrival. Thousands of school children sent in their pennies, nickels, and dimes. On September 11, 1949, Nosey's arrival coincided with the "49er's Days Rodeo Parade" in downtown Fresno during which she stole the show.

The success of the event led to the formation of the Fresno Zoological Society. The purpose of the Zoo Society was to support and create interest in the development of the Zoo, and to raise funds for improvements.

The 60's brought about some major changes in the Zoo operation. The grounds were finally fenced due to the constant problems with vandalism. A long fought-for admission fee of $0.25 brought in revenue for new construction. A Parks Zoo Admissions (Trust) Fund was established to control revenue by the City Council.

During the late 1960's many of the Zoo's exhibits were improved for the comfort and welfare of the animals, particularly the addition of heat in many of the exhibits. Major changes in the diets increased the longevity of the animals.

In 1978 the Park Zoo (Trust) Fund was established to control revenue received from the operation of the concessions stand and to use these funds for Zoo improvements.

Nosey, the beloved elephant, had her old asphalt exhibit replaced in 1982 with a large modern dirt exhibit with a water fall, pool, and sturdy interior night quarters containing remote-controlled hydraulic doors. Two other female elephants and one male elephant joined her that year. It was the first time in 33 years that she had seen another of the species, and it took her 6 months before she went into the pool. She became the herd matriarch and the pride and joy of Fresno.

The name of the Roeding Park Zoo was changed to the Fresno Zoo in 1985.

The Fresno Zoo was renamed the Chaffee Zoological Gardens in 1990 in honor of its longtime, beloved director, Dr. Paul Chaffee, who passed away that year. It has most commonly become known as the Chaffee Zoo.

Also earlier that year, Nosey's former unused exhibit was converted to a gift shop called "Nosey's Treasure Trunk."

During 1992 the Zoo hired its first full-time Zoo veterinarian, and the former Zoo nursery was converted into a small Zoo animal clinic. Animal mothers had been encourage to raise their own offspring with less assistance from the Zoo staff, so the nursery had not been needed for several years. A campaign had begun during at Dr. Chaffee's final months to raise funds for a larger, fully equipped animal hospital.

Nosey passed away at the age of 47 in 1993. A bronze sculpture of a baby elephant was set in place at the front of the elephant exhibit during her last birthday celebration that year. Within a year, the Zoo lost its male elephant.

The Chaffee Zoo continues to be the most popular attraction in the city of Fresno, and one of the most popular in Central California.