FRESNO CHAFFEE ZOO 2018 ANNUAL REPORT From the Director’s Desk
2018 Board of Directors 2018 Senior Management
Tom Richards, Chair Scott Barton, CEO/Zoo Director he wonderful support we receive from our Contents Craig Saladino, Vice Chair Amos Morris, COO/Deputy Director community has allowed us to continue Kyle Kirkland, Treasurer Rick Treatch, Ed.D., CPA, CGMA, Chief Financial Officer improving your Zoo at a remarkable pace, Ken Price, Secretary Lyn Myers, General Curator and 2018 was no exception. We completed 4 Animal Collection Wilderness Falls, a children’s water play area themed after Chelsea Cates Dr. Shannon Nodolf, Chief Veterinary Officer Tthe country’s national parks. The area features a waterfall, 6 Education Programs Ed Gonzalez Alisha Anderson, Chief Marketing & Development Officer shallow stream bed, and geysers, as well as a fire look-out 8 Financial Report Babatunde Ilori Lisa Condoian, Zoo Operations Officer tower with slide. We also added plenty of benches under Emily Phillips Laura Martina, SPHR, Chief People Officer the shade for parents as well as a private area for nursing mothers. Next, we continued the design of Kingdoms of 9 Guest Breakdown Julie Vance Dean Watanabe, Chief Education & Conservation Officer Asia, our next major exhibit project, which will provide
10 Conservation Efforts beautiful habitats for tigers, sloth bears, hornbills, Komodo Scott Barton dragons and more. 12 Special Events CEO/Zoo Director After 27 years of educating us with the Ross Laird Winged 16 Veterinary Report Wonders Bird Show, Ross has retired and the Zoo has taken over the presentations. We wish Ross the best and 20 Donors appreciate his years of dedication to the Zoo.
21 Staff Stats Other highlights of 2018 included special events Roar 22 2018 Projects and Pour and Evenings on the Savannah. They proved to be very popular, and 2018’s Safari Night was not only a beautiful night at the Zoo but a successful night of fundraising. Over the summer, we hosted our Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) professional colleagues with the Felid Taxonomic Advisory Group meeting. Over 100 animal care professionals from across the country Published by Fresno Chaffee Zoo met in Fresno to discuss management and conservation 894 West Belmont Avenue of various cat species. We also hosted an AZA Regional Fresno, CA 93728 Education Workshop, exploring the newest ways to inspire Telephone: 559-498-5910 our guests. fresnochaffeezoo.org We provided 5,000 tickets to the Zoo for organizations Graphic Design: Heather Davis working with families who otherwise may not be able to attend, and hosted Dreamnight, a special night at the Zoo On the front cover: for children with disabilities or severe illness. Sumatran Orangutan, Siabu, and infant son, Hantu. Throughout these new projects and events, we continue Photo by Capture Life Events, Inc. to focus on providing excellent care of our animals and On the back cover: supporting wildlife conservation around the world. Caribbean flamingos. Photo by Heather Davis. None of this would be possible without the amazing support from our community, and we appreciate that support and trust very much.
2 | 2018 Annual Report Background image: Male giant anteater, “Pico”. 2018 Annual Report | 3 Animal Collection and grizzly bears. Many years ago, Sahassa and Rajani were transferred to opportunity to design and build state- the dividing walls of that exhibit were Little Rock Zoo in Arkansas and Caperon of-the-art exhibits for the animals and removed and the exhibit was then the Park Zoo in Massachusetts. We recently the community that call Fresno home. home to a pair of grizzly bears for many received news that Sahassa has already ith our exciting years. After our very old grizzlies passed, contributed to an increase in the sloth new exhibit, sloth bears made their arrival to our Zoo. bear population by producing a cub. Kingdoms This was a new species for us and proved of Asia, now in the planning stage, to become the favorite of many guests Our tiger exhibit is also in need of ourW animal care team begins their and animal care takers. The SSP (Species renovation. Tigers generally spend very preparations early. In 2018, we began Survival Program) was also pleased for little time together and in many cases do discussing and planning the future Fresno Chaffee Zoo to become involved not welcome the company of other adult of the animals that live in the area in the sloth bear program, as there are tigers. Our single tiger exhibit makes that will soon become a demolition only 34 individuals in North America and managing a tiger breeding program very and construction zone. Many of the the program was in need of more zoos to difficult. Our new Asia area will have two species that live in this area will be assist in building captive populations. much larger exhibits and extra behind Lyn Myers represented in the new Asia, but not the scenes areas that will allow us to have General Curator necessarily the same individuals. Kingdoms of Asia will include sloth a greater role in breeding these much bears in a beautiful new exhibit that will endangered felines. Our bear exhibit has a very long be built where the giraffes lived a few Sloth Bear, Sahassa. history at Fresno Chaffee Zoo. years ago. The existing 1955 exhibit will Although we will miss the individuals Originally built in 1955, it was be demolished. To prepare for this, we that have left Fresno Chaffee Zoo, we are Female sloth bear, Zaara, born January 9, Animal Collection designed as three small bear exhibits began the process of moving our sloth excited to begin this new chapter in our 2019 to mom, Khali and dad, Sahassa at Little Rock Zoo. © Little Rock Zoo 2018 Totals to house polar bears, black bears bears to new homes. Our two boys, Zoo’s future. It is very exciting to have this
Invertebrates Species 5 Individuals 256 Births and Hatchings Animal Acquisitions Cartilaginous Fish (Chondricthyes) Species 4 Reptiles and Amphibians Reptiles and Amphibians Mammals Individuals 40 (“Herps”) (“Herps”) 0.2 African elephant 0.0.9 Blue spiny lizard 0.0.2 Black-breasted leaf turtle 0.1 Miniature horse Bony Fish (Osteicthyes) 0.0.13 Dyeing dart frog 0.0.4 Eye dabb lizard 1.0 Pygmy goat Species 21 0.0.7 Green and black dart frog 1.3 Haitian green anole Prehensile-tailed porcupine Komodo dragon Individuals 161 1.0 California sea lion 0.0.14 Yellow-headed dart frog 0.1 King cobra 0.1 Four-toed hedgehog 0.1 Komodo dragon Amphibians 0.1 Masai giraffe Birds 0.4 Malagasy leaf-tailed gecko Species 18 1.0 Reticulated giraffe Individuals 119 1.2 Laughing kookaburra 0.0.5 Sahara spiny-tailed lizard 0.1 Siamang 3.1 Laysan duck 0.0.3 Volcan Darwin giant tortoise (Galapagos) 1.0 Striped skunk Reptiles 3.1 Sun conure 0.2 Gaboon viper 3.0 Sudan barbary sheep Species 68 4.1 Troupial 5.4 Virginia opossum Individuals 192 1.4 Yellow-rumped cacique Birds 0.1 White park cow 2.0 Black-necked stilt Siamang Reticulated giraffe Birds Mammals 0.1 Common shama thrush Species 68 1.1 Addax 0.1 Eastern brown pelican Individuals 239 1.0 Greater kudu 1.0 Eurasian eagle owl 0.1 Prehensile-tailed porcupine 2.0 Inca tern Mammals 0.1 Sumatran orangutan 0.1 Lady Ross’s turaco Species 53 Individuals 169 1.0 Lesser sulphur-crested cockatoo 1.1 Luzon bleeding-heart dove 0.1 Roseate spoonbill Totals Species 237 1.0 Male 0.1 Female 0.0.1 Unknown sex 4.2 Puna teal Individuals 1,176 Addax Black-breasted leaf turtle
4 | 2018 Annual Report 2018 Annual Report | 5 Education 2018 Totals ON-SITE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS School Field Trips 100,515
After Hours Ask Me Carts Chats Non-fee-based Alpaca Encounters Raptor Encounters 234,478 Story Tellers Teen LEADERS
One of the most important roles of Fee-based Rainforest Tours school programs Education programs is to support Zoo Previews the mission of the Zoo: Fresno Zoo Tours 17,300 Chaffee Zoo inspires wonder of Teacher Workshops our natural world, provides an Lab Programs engaging learning environment, and Zoo Adventures creates a passion for conservation. Behind the Scenes Our behind-the-scenes programs Birthday Encounters 4,602 connect visitors to animals through Overnights incredible up-close experiences and facilitate personal connections to Tot Time Cubby Camp Zoo Camp individual animals. Through these Zoo Adventure Camp Adventures one-on-one experiences, guests can Shadow a Keeper 4,693 then understand how their actions Young Naturalist impact wildlife, both individually and Party Animal collectively. Private Event 6,247
In 2018, a record number of guests OFF-SITE PROGRAM participated in these Behind the PARTICIPANTS Scenes opportunities. Visitors Zoomobile Fee-based travelled from great distances Zoo Talks 12,408 (sometimes out of state!) just to participate in these unique and Beach Clean-up Non-fee-based powerful experiences. These Outreach Community Events 7,552 programs are also an example of the great collaboration that exists between staff at Fresno ZOO EXPERIENCES Chaffee Zoo. These programs could Stingray Bay 221,055 not happen without teamwork Giraffee Feeding between education and animal 184,090 care departments. We are looking ahead to 2019 with plans to add new experiences while deepening the Grand Total Participants interactions between guests, animals and Zoo staff. 7 9 2 , 9 4 0
6 | 2018 Annual Report 2018 Annual Report | 7 Sources of Funding Financial Report & Measure Z operating funds $4,405,689 Attendance Measure Z capital funds 5,069,236 964,091 Admissions income 4,229,523 Guest Breakdown 833,114 828,264 Membership income 1,418,912 808,914 Special events income 915,132 703,325 Exhibit income 785,003 691,320 Food service 681,024 Facility rental income 601,806 580,226 828,264 Grants and fundraising 511,944 511,788 Education income 484,948 Guests Gift shop sales 464,914 443,251 Adopt-an-Animal income 32,590 418,285 Investment income (loss) -1,268,818 Interest income 580,020 Endowment income 137,264 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Other income 332,603
Total Revenue $ 19,381,790 Memberships 18,854 18,329 Use of Funds 17,154 17,573 Construction in process $5,078,757 Animal services 543,929 Contracted services 674,593 14,415 Advertising 406,399 13,493 Capital equipment 12,089 and facilities 1,264,384 18,329 Community support 25,500 10,035 Conservation 195,919 9,535 Member Bank and credit card fees 198,305 8,834 Depreciation 544,196 Households Dues and subscriptions 42,074 Equipment 239,103 Fleet expense 26,606 Food and catering 30,954 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 Information technology 85,541 The Zoo is proud and grateful to be in the position to Insurance 181,504 beautify and improve our facilities using surplus funds Interest expense 9,212 from previous years. Our 2018 financials reflect this, Miscellaneous 28,387 showing over $1.2 million from previous years used for Office supplies 19,901 capital equipment and facilities purchases. Thanks to this, Personnel 8,501,373 the Zoo did not have to incur debt for these expenditures. Postage 43,251 Printing 137,223 1 60% 40% Professional services 260,087 Difference due to capital equipment and facilities funded by surplus from prior Recruiting 17,801 years. Children/Babies 0-11 Adults/Seniors 18+ Repairs and maintenance 393,853 Signage 39,067 Special events expense 688,680 Specialized services 24,691 Staff development 127,470 Supplies 418,712 64% 36% Telephone 50,012 Uniforms 44,825 Adults/Seniors 12+ Children/Babies 0-11 Utilities 885,060
Total Expenses $21,227,369 Net Surplus (Deficit)1 -$1,845,579
8 | 2018 Annual Report 2018 Annual Report | 9 AFRICA Benin Conservation Botswana CONSERVATION FUNDS AWARDED COUNTRIES SUPPORTED Cameroon Côte d’Ivoire Democratic Republic of the Congo Ghana Kenya ASIA 2018 SOUTH AMERICA Nigeria $ Argentina Rwanda India 176,000 South Africa NORTH AMERICA Brazil Malaysia Peru Tanzania Nepal Uganda Guatemala Romania 2017 $ Zambia Russia 152,990 Mexico Zimbabwe United States $153,448 The Fresno Chaffee Zoo Wildlife Conservation Fund 2016 supports conservation efforts around the globe. Each year we have been in a position to increase $79,213 our funds and our reach to further our conservation 2015 mission. In 2018, our funds were able to support $ 76,779 46 conservation projects in 25 countries. 2014 $66,610
2013
CONSERVATION PROJECTS SUPPORTED • Connecting Wildlife through Zambia’s Transboundary • Kibale Fuel Wood Project and Eco-Char Initiative • Reticulated Giraffe (Kenya) Wildlife Movement Corridors (Republic of Zambia) (Uganda) • Ruaha Carnivore Project (Tanzania) • Ambassadors Schools Network (Mexico) • Conserving Grauer’s Gorillas in Itombwe Nature Reserve • King Cobra (India) • Saving the Chinese Pangolin (Nepal) • Ape Taxon Advisory Group (TAG) (Rwanda) (Democratic Republic of the Congo) • Lowland Tapir Conservation Initiative (Brazil) • Sloth Bear GPS Tracking (India) • Assessing the Current Population Status • Conserving the African Wild Dog (Zimbabwe) • Malayan Tiger Anti-Poaching Efforts (Malaysia) • Tarangire Elephant Project (Tanzania) of Abbott’s Starlings (Kenya) • Conservation of Threatened Cavity-Nesting • Margay (Brazil) • Brown Bear Conservation and Research Program in • Action for Cheetahs in Kenya (Kenya) Birds in Argentina (Argentina) • Marsh Deer (Argentina) Romania (Romania) • Bay Area Bobcat Project (USA) • Critically Endangered Gyps Vulture Conservation through • Mount Cameroon Francolin (Cameroon) • Ungulate Antipredator Responses to Perceived Risk Safe Zone Project (India) • Brazilian Amphibian Documentation (Brazil) • Olive Ridley Sea Turtle (India) of Amur Tiger Predation (Russia) • Friends of the Island Fox (USA) • California Condor Nest Guarding Programs (USA) • Pangolin Management in Côte d’Ivoire (Côte d’Ivoire) • VulPro (South Africa) • Giant Armadillo Conservation Program (Brazil) • Community-Based Elephant Conservation at the • Population Status of the Endangered Ashy Red • Vulture Poisoning Response (Zambia) Eyumojock-Korup Reserve (Cameroon) • Grevy’s Zebra Trust (Kenya) Colobus Monkey (Tanzania) • West African Crocodile Assessment (Benin) • Community Education for Cheetah and Carnivore • Guatemalan Beaded Lizard (Guatemala) • Primate Inventory and Conservation in • Western Pond Turtle (USA) Conservation in the Kalahari (Botswana) • Guinea High Forest Sanctuary (Ghana) Ikpa River Basin (Nigeria) • Whale Sharks (Peru) • Community Guardianship for the Sustainable • International Rhino Foundation (Asia and Africa) • Promoting Chimpanzee Conservation Through Conservation of Himalayan Musk Deer (Nepal) • Iringa Red Colobus Monkey (Tanzania) Education Programs in Uganda (Uganda)
10 | 2018 Annual Report 2018 Annual Report | 11 Special Events
Fresno Chaffee Zoo welcomes guests for everything from private events to seasonal events offering family- friendly fun. In 2018 we helped families and organizations host celebrations at various venues across the Zoo as well as held our own fundraising events that provided guests with unique experiences.
Educating guests about how their food is grown is just one of the components of our Ag Day event sponsored by the Gar Tootolian Foundation. Children enjoyed the hands-on activities that included roping, branding, games and tractors.
Zoobilation, our members’ only event, was revamped as two daytime events held in the spring and fall. Members enjoyed special behind-the-scenes areas and up-close animal experiences during this event.
Closing out the year was ZooLights, which reached a new attendance record of 41,424.
12 | 2018 Annual Report 2018 Annual Report | 13 Evening Events to Remember Nightlife and wildlife come together at Safari Night, our annual fundraising gala, and Roar and Pour, our newest adults’ only evening event. Even rain couldn’t dampen the spirits of our fun springtime beer event with more than 500 guests in attendance! Our fall Roar and Pour featured Valley wines poured for over 750 wine tasters. Bidders were able to snag some amazing Live Auction items at Safari Night, our biggest fundraising event, which raised more than $85,000 to benefit our upcoming exhibit, Kingdoms of Asia.
14 | 2018 Annual Report 2018 Annual Report | 15 Veterinary Report
simply does not apply to the field auditory training plan for our male of zoological medicine and 2018 sea lion Wishbone who was born was no exception. We are excited to blind, they were well equipped to share the highlights from the last transfer Jetta to cues she could hear year. as well as see. This allowed them to let her know where her food is In early 2018, our marine mammal and what behaviors keepers are keepers started to notice our then asking of her. Unfortunately, early 8-year-old female harbor seal Jetta onset cataracts are nothing new having a harder time seeing fish to marine mammals in captivity, and treats in the water around her. as well as in the wild. Research is She was not responding to hand still ongoing as to the cause, which Shannon Nodolf, DVM signals during training sessions as seems to be multifactorial issues we Chief Veterinary Officer readily as she once had. We had are still working to understand. As been monitoring a fairly rapidly Jetta’s cataracts were progressing, developing cataract in her left her vision continued to decline. It t is possible I have some eye that had almost completely is as if she is wearing progressively bias but I truly believe I obstructed the vision in that eye, darker sunglasses and every have one of the best jobs and her right eye was starting to day they get darker and darker, there is in the world. Every develop a cataract as well. Keepers allowing in less light. We were lucky day is different and engaging. worked on transitioning Jetta to enough to bring in world renowned IAside from the routine business of sound or auditory cues in addition ophthalmologist Dr. Carmen Coolitz caring for animals that I find simply to her visual hand signals so that and veterinary anesthesiologist Dr. fascinating, there is something new she could hear what they were James Bailey to perform cataract to learn everyday and something asking rather than just rely on removal surgery on Jetta. This to try that has never been done seeing them. As our keepers had surgery restored her full vision. before. The phrase “status quo” already developed a completely [Continued on next page]
You can see the opaque lens of the cataract through Jetta’s pupil. This opacity was causing her Photos taken during Jetta’s surgery. vision obstruction.
This is the actual lens that has been removed allowing Jetta to see again.
16 | 2018 Annual Report 2018 Annual Report | 17 As you may have been aware, to be present from day one to December 2017, the Santa Barbara through our Fund-a-Need appeal carefully monitor the progression Zoo was forced to start evacuations at the 2017 Safari Night fundraiser, of gestation in our orangutan Siabu of some of their animals and we the Zoo’s hospital was in desperate in 2018. Throughout her pregnancy were called on to assist with hand need of a new reliable radiology Siabu participated in weekly rearing a new giant anteater that unit. With the help of donations and ultrasounds where we used sugar had recently been born at their further input from our 2018 budget, free Jello in place of ultrasound facility and needed around the clock we were able to evaluate several gel and were able to monitor the care. We are delighted to be able different systems. We obtained growth and development of baby to help our colleagues in any way. Images produced by the new Vet Rocket reviews from our peers in the Hantu in utero. As her due date Luckily, the fire diverted course and Digital Radiology System. Left to right: domestic and zoological medicine grew closer, dedicated volunteer the zoo was saved. We got to ring in legless lizard, African cichlid, chinchilla. field and chose a Vet Rocket Digital staff took shifts to monitor cameras the New Year with one of the most Radiology system. This system 24-7 to look for signs of distress that adorable babies around. She has Michael Wenninger, DVM and Javier Mendez, RVT is completely portable with a indicate intervention or cesarean since returned to Santa Barbara Zoo preparing an anesthetized macaw for radiographs processor no bigger than a tablet. section may be needed for delivery. and to her dedicated caretakers. She using the new state-of-the-art system. It is wireless, and clear images are Local human obstetricians were continues to bring joy to everyone produced in seconds. The image on call as well, in the event any who gets to know her. quality, ease of use, and reliability emergency assistance may be are far superior to previous systems, needed. Luckily, late in the evening Keeping up with the best health and we have been putting it to work on November 3rd Siabu gave birth and wellness program for our diagnosing pneumonia in tentacle to beautiful baby Hantu. Hantu animals is our highest objective snakes, finding mass lesions in continues to grow and idolizes his in everything we do. Advances in chinchillas, evaluating bladder older sister N’dari, who thinks he technology, knowledge shared stones in goats and even picking up is a great play toy. The family can amongst our peers and the constant hairline fractures in Tamarins. frequently be seen on exhibit when strive for excellence helps us do the weather cooperates. just that to continue to advance Through the use of radiology during the care for these amazing animals routine examinations, we were able In addition to providing care to that do so much to teach us more Ambassador Animal care staff hand-rearing Virginia opossums to diagnose large bladder stones animals in our collection, we also about the world around us. We, and Sumatran orangutan Siabu with infant son, present in our two young warthogs assisted hand rearing an orphaned the animals in our care, are all so Hantu, and eight-year-old daughter, N’dari. last year. These stones were about litter of nine Virginia opossums. All grateful for your continued support. golf ball sized and formed from the of these amazing babies thrived accumulations of normal minerals with the loving care they received the body excretes in urine. By from staff all across the Zoo, who finding these stones early, we were took turns wearing opossum able to go in and surgically remove pouches around their necks last the stones before they caused life- summer. All of these beautiful threatening urethral obstruction. babies found homes as education ambassador animals in zoos across One of the great joys of our field the country including the two of conservation is the successful females you can meet here, Virginia pregnancy of endangered species. and Tallulah, who are part of our Through extensive training and program animal department. trust building with our staff, we were lucky enough to be able When the Thomas Fire occurred in Infant giant anteater receiving 24-hr care after being evacuated from 18 | 2018 Annual Report Santa Barbara Zoo during the 2017-18 2018 Annual Report | 19 Thomas Fire. Thank You Sta Statistics for 2018 On behalf of the animals here at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, we gratefully thank those who donated $1,000 or more in 2018. Scott & Alisha Anderson John Paul Kevin's Concrete Pumping 30 70 PART TIME MALE FEMALE Born in the... Scott Barton Dennis & Nancy Ralston Livingstone Community Health 66 Renee Boches Tom Richards & Dr. Sue McDiarmid Los Angeles Zoo & Botanical Gardens FULL TIME 40 s 4 Don & Ruth Bricker Devin & Shannon Sackett Lyons Magnus Gary Catron Wendy Shannon Malaga Power, LLC 127 50 s 9 Jean Chaffee Steve & Ruth Sibbett McHenry Protective & Investigative Services SEASONAL 60 s 16 Todd & Sara Cook Tommy & Melissa Tarlton Mountain Boulder Sales RLK, Corp. 14 Jim & Dotty Doyle Richard Thistle Pacific Gas & Electric 70 s 20 James & Joan Emerson Pauline Trainer Pardini's Inc. TEMPORAR 80 s 76 216 Employees Erin Espinoza Randy & Peggi Vaughn-Dotta PepsiCo 9 90 s 91 Nina Gagnebin Jim & Terri Walls Premier Valley Bank Janet Galloway Jerry & Rosemary Waters Progressive Home Club Michael Gonzales Michael & Susan Woods Proper Defense Law Corp. Animal Care Administration Paul & Wendy Gottlieb Rabobank, N.A. 72 11 Kathryn Hanks Regency Investment Advisors Education Horticulture Charles Hensley Alan Mok Engineering River Park Properties 40 8 Nanette Hernandes BCT Consulting Ryan Liggett Project Management & Consulting Visitor Services Hospital Alicia Holland California Classic Weekend 31 5 Sacramento Zoo Mary Hung California Eye Institute Santa Barbara Zoo Special Events Membership Jim & April Kaufmann Central CA Pediatric Specialty Medical Group 3 St. Helen's PTO 17 Kristine Kizer Central Nebraska Packing, Inc. TAM+CZ Architects, LLP Marketing Stephen & Antonia Knudsen Central Valley Community Foundation Facilities The Penstar Group 13 2 5 Matthew Leedom Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino The Valley Cats Band Jeff LeFors CLR Design Security Development Truxell & Valentino Landscape 11 75 Gerald & Nanette Lyles Club One Casino Development Inc. Michael & Heather MacChesney Cost of Wisconsin, Inc. United Healthcare Norma Mastin Der Manouel Insurance Group Valley Children's Hospital Volunteer Statistics David McDonald Donald & Miranda Trucking Valley Public Radio Volunteers Hours Jesse Merrell Fishman, Larsen & Callister Valley Urology for 2018 38,979 Dwight & Barbara Miller Fowler Packing Vista Energy William & Dorothy Mills Fresno Dental Professionals Wanger, Jones, Helsley PC Attorneys Lisa Monaco Fresno Plumbing & Heating, Inc. Zookeeper Assistassistanttss Teen L.E.A.D.E.R.S. Waterhouse Animal Hospital ZZoooo CCampamp JuniorJunior CCounselorounselorss Nathan & Francesca Negri Gar & Esther Tootelian Charitable Foundation Wells Fargo Horticulture Docents Individual Volunteers Don & Lynn Nelson Haron Jaguar Valley FFarrm -Ag Voluntteerss Veterinary Exxtterrnships Louis & Christi Paradise JP Lamborn Company 10 Voluntteer Prrogrrams Special Projects 1,341 Special Events Marketing & Development
20 | 2018 Annual Report 2018 Annual Report | 21 2018 Projects
hanks to the generous support of our community and members, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo has many exciting new plans Tto engage and excite guests at the Zoo. In 2018, we completed and opened Wilderness Falls, an interactive play area that opened on May 4. Modeled after a National Parks motif, this area encourages kids and adults to connect to nature with interpretive elements. It includes a fire lookout tower with a slide and a water play area that includes a waterfall and stream. This attraction broke ground in June 2017 and was completely funded by Measure Z.
We are also looking forward to many new and exciting exhibits in 2019 and beyond. We will complete an infrastructure project that will help prepare for future construction and operations improvements. This area will also feature a play area, photo opportunities, and other options for guests to enjoy their time at the Zoo.
Also in 2019, we will be bringing in an exciting temporary exhibit, Zoorassic Park, which will see a currently unutilized area in the Zoo transformed into a prehistoric self-guided exhibit featuring 17 species of dinosaurs that move and roar.
Looking farther ahead into the Zoo’s projects, we also have plans for the Kingdoms of Asia re-design and plans for further expanding African Adventure.
All of these projects start with support from community members, sponsors and members of the Zoo. We thank you for allowing us to expand and improve your Zoo and we look forward to welcoming you to these new exhibits in the future.
22 | 2018 Annual Report 2018 Annual Report | 23 894 W. Belmont Ave. Fresno, CA. 93728 fresnochaffeezoo.org 559-498-5910
To inspire wonder of our natural world, provide an engaging learning environment, and create a passion for conservation.