by Jean Chaffee

Early History

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.

Growth

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.

Eldon "Curly" Blocker was hired from the San Diego Zoo to serve as the Zoo's first foreman. His connections helped add to the Zoo's population.

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.

Ten major exhibits were built in the 50's including Monkey Island, sea lions, camels, giraffe, African Flight Cage, sun bears, polar bear and grizzly bear exhibit, flamingo pool, hippos, and a feed and medical compound.

The Roeding Park Zoo became an institutional member of AZA in 1957.

A Period of Change

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.

In 1965 Dr. Paul Chaffee was hired as the first Director/Veterinarian of the Zoo. Responsibility for management of all aspects of the Zoo shifted from the Zoological Society to the Director. New programs of nutrition, quarantine, education, and treatment were established to meet the growing professional standards of zoos.

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.

White Rhinoceros

The rhino exhibit was built first housing black rhinos. After several pairs were lost, the switch was made to white rhinos. Today that same exhibit houses Malayan Tapirs.

The large Bird of Prey exhibit was constructed by the Parks Division in 1967, and the first Zoo master plan was drafted in 1968 to guide the future development of the Zoo.

Remodeling

During the 1970's the Zoo grew by another third to include the areas containing a new bison, elk and prairie dog exhibit complex. During the national celebration of the bicentennial in 1976, the grizzly bear exhibit was improved and enlarged. Many other small exhibits were remodeled during this period.

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. Finally, the Zoo society did not have to submit its budget to the city for approval.

The first major exhibit for the Zoo, which would prove to be one of its greatest assets, was the Edward A. Kane Reptile House in 1979. It was the first computer controlled reptile exhibit building in the world. The lighting, temperature, and humidity could be separately set and maintained for each exhibit.

Our Education Program Evolved. The Zoo Society set up an Education Committee in 1971. A curriculum was written and the first docent class held that year. The docents took over the Zoomobile program previously done by the director and Zoo staff. The first Zoomobile Van was bought in 1973.

Improvements

The 1980s brought about more improvements and additions to the zoo. Improvements to the Entrance, Galapagos Tortoise Exhibit, and Sea Lion Pool to meet the new regulations concerning marine mammals. The Cat barn was a major renovation by replacing 8 sterile cages with 2 larger, more natural exhibits with lions on one side and tigers on the other.

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.

Other major remodeling included the Flamingo exhibit and the Lemur Island exhibit (now Coati Island). The antelope, giraffe, camel, llama, and zebra exhibits were remodeled with new shelters and barns and fences were removed for mixed species usage. Many of the older chain link cages were demolished to make room for a more natural appearance.

Wolf Woods was constructed in 1984 originally housing gray wolves, now exhibiting the endangered red wolves.

Also in 1984, the Doris and Karl Falk Wildlife Education Center was completed through the donation of funds from the Falks, longtime devoted supporters of the zoo. This building would become the backbone of the Educational Department at the zoo.

In 1989, the Falks again donated funds for a large classroom addition to this facility, including office space for the growing Fresno Zoological Society. The Zoo Society was by now very successfully raising funds for zoo improvements through its Zoo Membership program, Adopt-an-Animal program, and special events.

A New Name

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

In 1988 the walk-through Tropical Rain Forest Exhibit was completed. It is 55 feet high and about a half acre in size. It's purpose was, and is, to expose Fresno to the South American rain forest plants and animals and its plight. It is still one of the most popular exhibits in the zoo.

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."

The sea lion exhibit was again remodeled to look more natural.

A New Direction

In 1991 Ralph Waterhouse became the new Zoo Director, just as the new Zoo Entrance began construction on the west side, allowing for single parking at the Zoo, Playland, and Storyland.

Ross Laird's Winged Wonders Bird Show began its presentations that year in the newly fenced area around the Amphitheater, adjacent to the zoo. This area also encompassed the Falk Education Building and the Zoo Society office, creating a new special events fund raising location for the Zoo. The Zoo had now reached a size of about 18 acres.

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, the elephant, 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.

Also in 1993, the Zoo's administration office was moved from the old building inside the Zoo and into the former and much larger Parks Division office building outside the east side of the Zoo.

During 1994 the Zoo Society funded many new Zoo projects, including the Small Wonders domestic animal petting area, camel rides, a new giraffe barn, removed the fence dividing the giraffe yard for a more open area, improved the chimpanzee and grizzly bear exhibits by removing barriers for larger spacing, and remodeled the concession stand. The Australian Walk Through Aviary was completed.

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