Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Of all the zoos that I have ever been to in the US and in England, this zoo is by far the prettiest. I have just read the old reviews from 2005, and I'm not sure that the zoo is as bad as it used to be. The bird exhibits are amazing, and the rainforest section of the zoo is one of a kind - sometimes I go just to visit the rainforest section. I dragged my husband and kid around the enormous San Diego zoo recently, and we saw fewer animals and were completely exhausted at the end of the day. The Fresno zoo is small and a manageable walk with LOTS of interesting and rare animals and birds. The landscaping is very beautiful and the park layout is pretty. There is a great petting area with goats, and a place to feed the giraffes. Also, there is an amazing stingray bay where you can touch the stingrays. This zoo has everything you want in a zoo, in a reasonable-sized walk through a lovely parkland. It's beautiful, and I feel refreshed every time I visit.

Posted 10/19/09 | Report Abuse

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This zoo is extremely small compared to the Los Angeles zoo of course, but It's worth seeing if your in the area. The habitats created for the animals are not extremely elaborate and could use improvement.

What I do remember is that they have some unusual varieties of monkeys and bears that you won't find at somewhere like the LA zoo. So for that alone it was worth seeing.

Posted 11/29/05 | Report Abuse

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Animals in horrible exhibits, I know the zoo almost lost its accrediation. Its no wonder why. These poor animals need to go where they are going to get better care. While the prices are reasonable and the ad campaigns are great, I think more attention needs to be focused on rebuilding the exhibits instead of salarys.

Posted 11/24/05 | Report Abuse

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The Chaffee Zoo has fallen on hard times the last few years, but things are looking up. It is the only major zoo between Sacramento and Los Angeles and is a wonderful place for valley families to spend the day. My children love the new giraffe feeding station and the Winged Wonders free flight bird show is a joy to watch. The zoo has a wondeful docent program which allows the kids to ask question and get up close and personal with some of the animals. The community recognizes how lucky we are to have an acredited zoo and is wonderfully supportive of it.

Posted 11/09/05 | Report Abuse

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MY friend and I went to the zoo with our 4 children in toe and we needed to take one of the kids to the restroom and when we went to the area of the bathrooms there were a group of 6 guys itiining there staring at us. So we felt very uncomfortable and did not go to the bathroom and they were staff at the zoo and they just did not seem right. It made us think twice about comming again.

Posted 07/22/05 | Report Abuse

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I have 2 small children and we have gotten zoo member passes for the past 2 years and last year we went many times and it is even better this year. New restrooms that are clean and family friendly. Friendly staff and the new graffie station where the kids can feed them was my families favorite. It is always a fun activity for everyone.

Posted 07/21/05 | Report Abuse

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The Chaffee Zoo has suffered for years from underfunding and neglect. Many empty exhibits are a comment on the current state of affairs.

Recently the citizens voted a new initiative with the intent to raise the necessary funding for the zoo. The people of Fresno are hopeful, but only time will tell if the zoo can survive.

Posted 05/20/05 | Report Abuse

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