Fresno Chaffee Zoo

Valley Farm at Fresno Chaffee Zoo is open! Visit during regular Zoo hours for a chance to pet the goats and see all the farm friends who have missed you! Capacity is limited, so staff will be at the entrance and exit of the exhibit to help manage the number of guests. See all the info on what is open and what remains on paws at the Zoo as well as all of our health and safety changes at https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/plan-your-visit/

Do you know the difference between an emu and an ostrich? Let's find out! Both birds live here at the Zoo. They're both tall, flightless and similar in looks, which is why people often get them confused. Here are some key differences: Height: Emus can stretch up to five and a half to six feet, but most ostriches are between seven and nine feet tall. If it's looking you in the eye, it's probably an emu. If it's looking down on you, it's definitely an ostrich.... Wings: Both species have wings, although flightless. Ostrich wings are large to show off during mating displays and act as a balance when running. Emus, however, have small wings that hang down from their sides. If you look closely, you might be able to see a dangling wing tip. Toes: Emus have three toes, while ostriches only have two. Both birds have one very large toe, with the others being much smaller. Keep your distance while counting, though, the powerful legs attached to those toes deliver quite the kick! Location: Emu's are most commonly found in Australia, whereas ostriches are found in Africa, unless you're at the zoo, of course! Lastly, even though these birds have a lot in common, they aren't closely related. They're a fine example of convergent evolution, where similar traits develop in different species. Which is your favorite species of bird?

Show your valentine that you are wild about them with a special gift from Fresno Chaffee Zoo! Support the Zoo while sending tons of love with a rhino adopt-an-animal package or one of our other gifts specially chosen to show you care. Shop the gift guide now at https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/valentines-special/ #ValentinesDay #ValentinesDay2021

We know many guests miss the Reptile House, so enjoy some new photos of its reptilian residents. Did we miss any of your favorites? Who will you visit first when you get to hop, swim, or slither back?

Fresno Chaffee Zoo supports conservation field work close to home and across the world! Every week we will introduce you to a new Wildlife Conservation Fund partner. This week is Action for Cheetahs in Kenya! Action for Cheetahs in Kenya (ACK) was founded in 2001 and works to protect cheetah populations in the Salama and Samburu regions. As human-cheetah conflict becomes a major threat, ACK hopes to find solutions that benefit the local communities and cheetah populations. Th...e organization is utilizing methods such as radio tracking, cheetah monitoring and scat analysis to help reduce the conflict. ACK has even trained scat dogs to locate cheetah fecal samples to better understand cheetah’s prey preference, conduct disease and hormone analysis and identify breeding populations. This data allows them to determine what efforts are needed to prevent population isolation and increase the species’ numbers. For more information about our mission to conserve, visit https://www.fresnochaffeezoo.org/wildlife-conservation-fund/

We continue our Black History Month series celebrating Black conservationists and zoologists with Dr. Jessie Isabelle Price, a veterinary microbiologist. She was born in 1930 and earned her PhD from Cornell. She was a researcher and professor. Her most notable work was with Long Island New Duck Disease, which can be fatal for ducks. She isolated and reproduced the bacterium that causes the disease, Pasteurella anatipestifer, leading her to develop a vaccine. #BlackinNature #BlackHistoryMonth

Who will win the Big Game this weekend? Southern white rhinos Kayla and Hazina think they know! This is the first time that our rhinos have tried to predict the Super Bowl winner, following in an annual tradition that our orangutans, lions and other animals across the Zoo have participated in. After you watch the rhinos make their pick, hear from zookeeper Zoe to learn about southern white rhinos and hear why enrichment is so important to the animals of the Zoo!

Don't forget about our upcoming paint and yoga classes this weekend! Get a workout in with our 60 minute ZOOm yoga class with our instructor Christine or get in touch with your creative side with Canvases Gone Wild! Classes are THIS Saturday! Virtual Yoga tickets at https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/event/virtual-yoga-classes/ Canvases Gone Wild tickets at https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/ev/canvases-gone-wild-classes/

With the Zoo open again, we are so excited to be able to welcome you all back. It is such a joy to continue educating our community about animals and conservation in person! Share your photos of your visit if you’ve come back since our re-opening! #imissedmyzoo

All month long, the Zoo will be celebrating Zoobilation during our regular hours of 9am-4pm. We’re saying thank you to members with daily member-exclusive perks, special prizes and discounts. Full schedule here: https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/event/zoobilation/ Not a member? It’s not too late to join! Purchase a membership on our website, during your next visit or by calling 559-498-5921.

We are live at Fresno Chaffee Zoo for Stomp and Chomp! See what the elephants think of their seasonal treats. Leave any questions for our zookeepers in the comments.

Come out to the Zoo for Stomp and Chomp tomorrow! On Thursday, November 5, the animals of the Zoo will enjoy fall treats. Join us at the Zoo or watch our Facebook Live at 1pm for all of the pumpkin pandemonium! Get more information and a downloadable scavenger hunt at https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/event/stomp-n-chomp/ Special thank you to our sponsors Fresno County 4-H, Sweet Thistle Farms and Longhorn Feed And Supply for donating so many pumpkins for our animals to enjoy!

It's election day and Goofy, Rocky and Alex are so egg-cited to vote! #Vote #Election2020 #LesserSulferCrestedCockatoo #ScarletMacaw ... #AfricanWhiteNeckedRaven See more

Mark your calendars for this Thursday and our annual Stomp ‘N’ Chomp enrichment day! Visit us for a zoo-per fun filled day to watch animals across the Zoo enjoy special seasonal treats as part of our enrichment program. Visit https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/event/stomp-n-chomp/ for the full schedule.

Today kicks off our month long member appreciation month, Zoobilation! We invite all Fresno Chaffee Zoo members to join in a month of prizes, gifts and added discounts as we celebrate and thank our members! Find the full schedule at https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/event/zoobilation/. Renew or become a member now so you don’t miss any of the fun in November!

Happy Halloween and happy birthday to Labu! Labu, whose name means pumpkin, was born at the Zoo 10 years ago today! He is always ready for Halloween with the orange fur; you can see in this close-up of the birthday boy taken right before he turned 10 years old.

It’s a girl! Fresno Chaffee Zoo welcomed a new addition with the birth of a southern white rhino! The new calf and mom Kayla are doing well and our animal care staff is celebrating the first female southern white rhino born at our Zoo. She shares parents Kayla and Tim with boys Rudo, born in 2017, and Kito, born in 2019. Mom and baby won’t be out on exhibit as they bond, so stay tuned for more information about when they will make their debut on savanna.

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo AAZK is hosting a conservation fundraiser, Bidding for Rhinos! All funds raised will go towards rhino conservation. Visit https://www.32auctions.com/FCZAazkBidding4Rhinos to register for the online auction and bid on some amazing items before the auction closes on October 26!

Make a plan to hop or slither over to the Zoo because we have some good news! Roo Walkabout and the Reptile House are open again! Roo Walkabout is open Friday-Sunday and the Reptile House is open daily. These areas are both mask zones, so masks are required. Our staff will also be monitoring these areas to allow for social distancing and limited capacities to help you have a safe visit!

When you plan your visit to the Zoo, don’t forget to travel back in time to Zoorassic Park! This special outdoor exhibit goes extinct December 31st. And, it’s open during ZooBoo so make sure to purchase a ticket during your visit or add it to your membership! Visit our website at https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/zoorassic-park/ for more information.

We may not always think about sustainability when our seafood comes to our table, but the bounty of our seas is not endless. Human activities like overfishing and certain fishing methods have a great impact on the ocean’s ecosystem, even in the most remote parts of the ocean. One way you can help is by making ocean-friendly choices when dining out or planning your grocery list. Our friends at Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch have put together a helpful app and consumer guide that gives recommendations like Best Choices, Good Alternatives and options to Avoid, so you can find sustainable seafood wherever you travel. Download the free app today in the App Store: https://apple.co/312oLSB or Google Play: https://bit.ly/34PbXA4

Only a few days left for our Halloween Adopt Special! For $50 you can adopt this creepy but cuddly crawler. Your package includes a tarantula plush, a trick-or-treat bucket, a Halloween themed animal fact sheet AND two regular Zoo admission tickets! Visit https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/adopt-an-animal/ for more information and purchase today!

You can help make a difference as you shop for Halloween candy this year! Non-sustainable palm oil causes the destruction of rainforests and animal habitats, endangering orangutans and other animals. Some candies are made with more sustainable palm oil and are RSPO certified. Look for these candies as you fill your cauldrons this year to make an orangutan-friendly choice!

Good morning! We are LIVE at Stingray Bay with Renee, Curator of Life Support to talk about sustainable seafood! Drop your questions about rays, sharks and sustainable seafood in the comments! Seafood Watch #sustainableseafoodcelebration

Stay in tonight while supporting Fresno Chaffee Zoo! Order online from any Central Valley Papa Murphy’s location today and use the code DONATE. 25% of your purchase will be donated to the Zoo! Order at www.papamurphys.com/

Skip the line and come ahead of time! Our Early Bird Tours are private, pre-guided tours of the Zoo before normal opening hours. Join an Adventure Guide and watch how our keepers and animals start their day. To book your spot, visit https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/early-bird-tours/

Get your costumes and appetites ready, Zoo Brew is TONIGHT! There’s still some tickets left for our 21+ event featuring bubbly brews and scary-good eats. Follow the link below to purchase your tickets and for event information https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/event/zoo-brew/ Note: Social distancing guidelines will be in effect as well as limited capacity. Purchase ASAP to ensure your spot!

Stay out late on Friday and PAW-ty with the animals with our extended hours with entry through 7pm! If you haven’t gotten to experience Evenings on the Savannah this season, tomorrow is your last chance! Join us for socially distanced, outdoor dining with dinner and drink specials. The special will be Exploded Crab Cake Chow Mein. View our October events here: https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/events/

Creepy, crawly and...cuddly! For $50, you can support the Zoo and adopt our special Halloween package. Your tarantula adoption comes with a trick-or-treating bucket and Halloween themed animal fact sheet. More information at https://fresnochaffeezoo.org/adopt-an-animal/