Author: Gianna Krupens

On Saturday, March 21, Fresno Chaffee Zoo will host Ag Day: Seed to Table, a vibrant celebration honoring the region that helps feed our community—and the world. This special event invites families, farmers, innovators, youth leaders, and community members to come together for a fun, hands-on experience that highlights the richness and diversity of agriculture across our region. Through interactive activities and engaging experiences, guests will have the opportunity to connect with others and celebrate the vital role agriculture plays in our community. 

Throughout the day, guests will explore the many ways agriculture shapes life in the Central Valley. Interactive activities and community resource booths will highlight the importance of buying produce in season, reducing food waste, and strengthening local food systems. We are thrilled to have Chef Betsy Wiegand providing live cooking demonstrations during the event. There will be opportunities for visitors to learn practical tips for preparing nutritious meals using fresh ingredients, growing vegetables at home, composting, and preserving harvests through techniques such as canning and pickling.  

Ag Day will also honor the rich agricultural heritage of the Central Valley and the migrant farm workers whose labor and stories have helped shape our food system. Through storytelling woven throughout the event, guests will gain a deeper appreciation for the people behind the harvest and the cultural traditions that influence how food is grown, prepared, and shared. 

A highlight of the day will be the recognition of our Community Hero, Rizpah Bellard, President and Lead Agriculturalist of Nova Farming. A graduate of Cornell University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Rizpah is dedicated to bridging the growing gap between people and their food through hands-on agricultural education. Through Nova Farming, she works with youth and beginning farmers and ranchers to create pathways to higher education, careers in agriculture, and more sustainable food systems. 

Bellard’s leadership and impact have been widely recognized. She was named 2024 New Farmer of the Year by Community Alliance with Family Farmers, included in COWGIRL Magazine’s 30 Under 30 Class of 2024, and received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition from Jim Costa. 

Guests will also enjoy live music from Ted Nunes, an Americana singer-songwriter born and raised in the heart of California’s San Joaquin Valley. For more than twenty-five years, Nunes has written and performed music inspired by the landscapes and people of the region and will bring an authentic Central Valley voice to our Ag Day celebration. 

Fresh, locally grown produce will be provided to guests by Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), F3 Local, Donald Sherman with Sherman Produce Market, Miguel Avendaño Reyes from Siembra y Cosecha Farm, and Sarah Weil from Twin Tree Farms. Rooted in the real-world needs of working farmers, these organizations recognize growers from diverse backgrounds as vital knowledge holders and partners in building a stronger agricultural community. Through their work, they provide farmers with practical resources, information, and support that meet them where they are. Their initiatives help farmers become strong stewards of the land while advancing technology, encouraging enterprise growth, and strengthening the local food system. Together, these efforts support a more resilient, sustainable, and inclusive future for Central Valley farmers and the entire community. 

Guests will be able to enjoy science displays from some of the Central Valley’s brilliant young minds with F3i Innovate, can take a visual and audio tour of the history of agriculture in the Central Valley with the Fresno Historical Society’s display, and learn some important produce shopping tips from Fresno Metro Ministries. 

Ag Day at the Zoo is an opportunity to celebrate the people, traditions, and innovations that sustain our region. By connecting guests with farmers, food, and community partners, the event highlights how thoughtful food choices can support local agriculture, strengthen communities, and contribute to a healthier future for all. 

At Fresno Chaffee Zoo, we are continually learning about the importance of caring for animals and the environment while honoring the people, cultures, and history of our Central Valley community. Over the past five years, we have made meaningful strides in expanding our community presence, celebrating the diverse cultures that shape our region, and seeking guidance from trusted messengers to help us share stories that are accurate, respectful, and impactful. 

We are grateful for the opportunity to work alongside local organizations, educators, advocates, and cultural brokers throughout the year to host a variety of community-centered events. For the past four years, we’ve been proud to host a Black History Month celebration at our Zoo in the spirit of celebrating the diverse region of the Central Valley.  

On February 21, 2026, we will host our Black History Month Celebration: Art in Action — A Journey of Healing, Expression, and Hope. This vibrant community gathering will honor the cultural heritage, contributions, and achievements of Black Americans. The event will feature mouthwatering food from local food trucks, community resource booths, and live entertainment, creating a space to reflect, connect, and celebrate together. 

We are thrilled to highlight music by Will Roberson II, an acclaimed professional violinist, at this celebration. Roberson is known for seamlessly blending classical mastery with the style, flavor, and energy of modern music. From festivals to symphonies, Roberson has entertained crowds across the nation and is now bringing his talent to Fresno Chaffee Zoo. 

At each of our community events, we are proud to recognize a Community Hero — an organization or individual doing extraordinary work in our region. During our Black History Month Celebration, we will recognize Reading Heart.  

Reading Heart is a non-profit organization in Fresno that is founded, and largely run, by kids. At eight years old, Danay started this organization because her love of reading inspired her to share her passion with kids that may not have access to literature otherwise. Now 19 years old, Danay has continued spreading this message throughout her community by working with Reading Heart to host events, give away books from their mobile library, and connect children with knowledge through their electronic education lab. 

At many of the Zoo’s past events, Reading Heart has distributed hundreds of culturally reflective books to families. Danay, and all of those at Reading Heart, continue to spread the joy of reading and improve literacy around Fresno. This inspiring organization shows what is possible when young people lead with heart, purpose, and a commitment to uplifting their community.  

We’ve worked with local resources to bring the theme of Art in Action to life through dancers, historical exhibits, interactive art activities, choir music, and more. The Zoo will host youth poets from the Youth Leadership Institute and United Upstanders to speak about advocacy topics. An interactive affirmation mural wall will be arranged by the African American Historical and Cultural Museum while Bridge Project Fresno will create a community freedom quilt with guests.  

The celebration will also include student art displays from artists Aaron Douglas and Augusta Savage through Art Enrichment For All and Fresno Historical Society will highlight Black history in Fresno County through listening sessions. There are plenty of opportunities for guests to engage with the beautiful stories of healing and hope that have shaped our community.  

Family, friends, and neighbors of our Zoo are encouraged to enjoy an inspiring day that uplifts the past, embraces the present, and reminds us that meaningful change happens when we all take part.  

Fresno Chaffee Zoo has an exciting new addition to the herd. Southern white rhinoceros, Kayla, gave birth to a female calf on Friday, November 28^th. Kayla and her calf, Eloise, spent their first few weeks together resting and bonding behind the scenes, closely monitored by the Zoo’s Animal Care and Veterinary teams. 

On December 15^th, Eloise made her debut in African Adventure right beside her mom. While she stayed close to mom on her first outing, that didn’t stop her from some excited grass stomps and curiously watching the animals around her. 

Eloise’s personality has already begun to develop with her Animal Care Team. Behind the scenes, she is inquisitive about the Zoological Care Specialists who interact with her and has gained the confidence to approach them. On the savanna she has a spirited, bold nature that displays her bravery. She has already attempted to spar with Kayla and mimic her mom’s eating behaviors, though she’s still too young to eat hay for now. Like most babies, Eloise alternates between high-energy runs and lying next to mom for a nap.  

Kayla is an experienced mother and has had great success at the Zoo. This is the fifth rhino calf born to Kayla and male southern white rhino, Tim, at Fresno Chaffee Zoo. Each calf has been a unique experience with a different personality. It is exciting to watch how each one interacts with their parents along with the other savanna species. While always close to her young calves, guests may notice some different behaviors from Kayla, who has been slightly more protective of Eloise than past calves.  

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List, southern white rhinos are considered “near threatened” in their natural habitat. Like all animals at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, Kayla is exercising choice and control on when she wants to go out on habitat with Eloise, so lucky visitors might get to see the pair during their visits in the coming months. You can continue to receive updates on mom and baby from the Zoo’s social media channels.  

Fresno Chaffee Zoo has a dedicated group of over 200 volunteers that connect guests to community, wildlife, and knowledge. Docents, VolunTeens, Zoo Camp Jr. Camp Counselors, and Group Volunteers are all a critical part of the guest experience, helping to create memories that last a lifetime. These programs serve different needs that elevate the Zoo’s mission: to inspire people to care for animals, create connections, build community, and save wildlife.

Docents

If you’ve ever visited the Zoo and interacted with a friendly face in a teal blue shirt, that was likely a Docent. These volunteers participate in a variety of activities from school tours, to interacting with guests on grounds, to helping with the Zoo’s education programs and special events.

Marc is a Docent at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, and much of his love for the role comes from guest connections. “Whether it’s giving directions to navigate the grounds, or sharing special knowledge of a particular animal species, there is always an opportunity to enhance the guest experience.”

Docents have the opportunity to get familiarized with the animals in the Zoo’s care, the layout of the Zoo, and other animal information. For Docents like Marc, helping to educate guests about animals and conversation is an essential part of the experience.

“An important role that we have is sharing,” said Marc. “It is particularly rewarding when we engage our younger visitors because it feels as though we are having a special impact in laying the foundation for the future generations of conservationists and species survival. That personal connection also creates ownership with our guests, and why we so often hear them refer to Fresno Chaffee Zoo as ‘their’ Zoo.

“I never leave my duty time at the Zoo without feeling uplifted, it’s just that kind of place,” said Marc. “There are so many different opportunities to be involved in supporting our Zoo efforts that it’s impossible to be bored with volunteering. I’m so glad to be a part of the many wonderful things going on here.”

VolunTeens

The VolunTeen program is a volunteer opportunity for ages 13-17. Central Valley teens get the unparalleled experience to be a part of a larger conservation mission both locally and globally. These teens get the unique opportunity to learn about the wildlife sustainability efforts that are practiced at the Zoo, then further their impact by educating guests about these conservation missions.

“I started volunteering last year and found out about it through CART environmental science,” said VolunTeen Ellie. “I run activities around the Zoo for little kids and teach people about different subjects. For example, last year I ran activities about recycling, the blunt-nosed leopard lizard conservation efforts, and the purple pipe project, which is about the recycled water the Zoo uses.”

Teens gain experience with public speaking, time management, positive communication, and leadership. Ellie’s over 100 hours of service at the Zoo has even resulted in her developing friendships with some of the other volunteers and employees that last far after the program.

Zoo Camp Jr. Camp Counselor

Teens also have the opportunity to spend their summers at the Zoo as a Zoo Camp Jr. Camp Counselor. These counselors work with our education teams to host Zoo Camp for ages 3-11 throughout the summer, facilitating a variety of art projects, activities, and games. Ellie’s experience as a VolunTeen inspired her to come back for the summer months as well.

“I get to be the counselor’s assistant in the classroom and when walking around the Zoo,” she said. “This work has taught me how to run a classroom and speak with kids of different ages. Learning how to speak when talking with adults versus kids is crucial when trying to present to people as a wildlife biologist, which is what I want to be in the future.”

The volunteer program is not only fun and educational, it is also a chance for teens to get hands-on experience in a career field they might want to pursue one day. Ellie found her path through this program and hopes to continue her education at the Zoo for more years to come.

“I plan on officially working at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo during my first 2 years in community college,” Ellie said. “To me, working there doesn’t feel like work, what I do feels like a fun project.”

Group Volunteers

Volunteer programs expand further than just for single participants; groups are also welcome to volunteer together at the Zoo. This program is an opportunity for organizations, families, and clubs to make an impact in their community.

These groups help with a variety of special events the Zoo hosts, like Ice Cream Zoofari and ZooBoo. Assisting with activities, crafts, and serving food, these volunteers are part of the reason that these events are so memorable. Group volunteers help further the experience of these events by creating connections between the Zoo and the community. This program is a great way to get involved and have some fun while doing so.

Get Involved

You can be a part of the Zoo’s mission to inspire people to care for animals, create connections, build community, and save wildlife. These volunteer programs each run at different times throughout the year. If you or someone you know is interested in making an impact at Fresno Chaffee Zoo, apply today!

For more information on any of these programs, visit the Zoo’s website or contact volunteer@fcz.org.

Did you know that reptiles are trainable? Guests at Fresno Chaffee Zoo are often surprised that in addition to training mammals and birds, we also train many of our reptiles.

In the Animal Ambassador program at Fresno Chaffee Zoo the reptiles live behind-the-scenes, but help educate guests by appearing at on-site programs and traveling to schools, senior centers, the local news, and more. These reptiles are almost all trained to follow a red ball on a stick, a behavior called targeting. This allows us to give them a choice about whether they want to participate in these programs. They can follow the target stick to go out on a program and get some treats, or they can stay in their home and get their treats later.

How do we train our reptiles? The first step often involves some taste testing. We set this up so that we can determine what an individual’s favorite treat is. Once we know an individual’s favorite treat, we will offer this treat right next to the target stick to make sure they are not afraid of the target and that they associate it with snack time. Then we will start to move the treat behind the target, so that they touch the target before they get the snack, eventually removing the food from sight but giving it once they touch the target stick. Once our reptiles understand the behavior, many of them become so excited to target we can take them on walks in areas around the Zoo, allowing them to get more exercise and showing everyone how fast a turtle or lizard can move across an area.

We have also trained our reptiles in color differentiation. When Zena, our ornate box turtle, sees a blue or a green target, she will ignore these colors and only hit the red target because that is the only color that gets her a mealworm. This shows how box turtles can see distinct colors, a fact that sometimes surprises guests. You can enjoy the video of her demonstrating this ability.

Patience and small steps are important when training reptiles as they may not be as quick to respond as mammals and birds. It is also important to know about an animal’s natural abilities and tendencies. For instance, with our leopard geckos, we must move the target stick back and forth slightly when targeting because their eyes see movement better than they see color. Some animals also see certain colors better than others. The animal care team working with Besar, the Sunda gharial that resides in Kingdoms of Asia, switched to a pink target because recent research shows that many crocodilians are more attracted to that color. After switching the target color, the animal care team noticed an improvement in their targeting sessions with Besar.

Another wonderful benefit of targeting is to help our animals with medical procedures. Part of our animals’ yearly health checks are radiographs. We recently used targeting with Randall, our blue-tongued skink, to take radiographs without sedation or physically holding him in place, as you can see in the picture.  This is valuable because every sedation can have risk factors, and restraint can be stressful for animals.  Training can reduce risk and make veterinary visits enjoyable for the animals.

Several of our reptiles are also learning to ring a bell and other new behaviors with the help of targeting. This target behavior is something we train many of the animals living at Fresno Chaffee Zoo to take part in, and it helps them all live healthier lives with us.

Dear Friend of Fresno Chaffee Zoo, 

Fresno Chaffee Zoo is more than a destination — it’s our Zoo. It belongs to all of us in the Central Valley who have watched it grow, celebrated its milestones, and shared in the joy, wonder, and awe it brings to every visitor who walks through its gates. And while Measure Z has helped us grow in extraordinary ways, it doesn’t cover our operating expenses and continuing our mission requires more.

For some of us, the Zoo’s magic began decades ago when we welcomed Nosey the elephant to Fresno, or as children, discovered our love for wildlife as we wandered through various animal habitats. Now, as parents and grandparents, we’ve started new traditions watching little faces light up when feeding giraffes, laughing at sea lions, and exploring Valley Farm. These moments connect us — they remind us that the Zoo isn’t just in our community; it’s part of who we are. 

Together, we have the opportunity to shape the future of our Zoo and make it one of the very best in the nation, ensuring that its magic remains accessible to everyone in our region and beyond. 

By giving to the Zoo, you help open our gates through programs like: 

Welcome Wednesdays – Every Wednesday, families receiving SNAP benefits can visit the Zoo for just $5 per person. For many, it’s their very first chance to experience the wonder of wildlife and the joy of being together in nature. 

After School at the Zoo – For students from underserved neighborhoods, the Zoo becomes more than a place to visit — it becomes a place to belong. Through after-school art and nature programs, children find confidence, creativity, and connection. 

This is our Zoo — built by our community, for our community. With your support, we can continue to care for the animals we love, inspire the next generation of conservationists, and ensure that everyone in the Central Valley has the opportunity to experience the wonder, awe, and joy that only Fresno Chaffee Zoo can offer. Together, we can make our Zoo a place where everyone belongs, and where the magic continues to grow for generations to come. 

With heartfelt gratitude, 

Kyle Kirkland

Fresno Chaffee Zoo Board Chair

Visit the link here to make your year end gift today.

The classic Halloween tradition, ZooBoo, returned to Fresno Chaffee Zoo this October, but this year there was something new to celebrate. For the first time, Sniffari Night – ZooBoo Edition welcomed guests to bring their dogs with them to experience the Zoo in a whole new way!

Guests had the opportunity to see their four-legged friends interact with the Zoo’s seals, cheetahs, tigers, and more. The event was an enriching experience for all the animals in attendance as they got to encounter new sights, smells, and senses that provided a new stimulus.

Along with the animal interactions, guests also participated in a Pooch Parade of the best dog costumes. The parade was hosted by Vanessa Vasconcelos from ABC30 and was judged by Fresno Chaffee Zoo CEO and Director, Jon Forrest Dohlin, Zoo Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Audrey Siegrist, and from Waterhouse Animal Hospital, Dr. Waterhouse. The winning costume, awarded to human Lina and pup Zuko, was a lab dressed as a prisoner because he loves to escape. They received a Fresno Chaffee Zoo swag bag, Elaine’s Pet Resorts $100 gift card, and a Woofie’s of North Fresno $50 gift certificate. The “Paw-fect Pair” prize, a Fresno Chaffee Zoo swag bag, was awarded to a dog, Kitty, dressed as a hamburger and their human, Alejandra, dressed as an In-N-Out Burger employee.

This event was made possible by our community vendors and dedicated sponsors. Fresno Chaffee Zoo would like to thank their Top Dog sponsor, Waterhouse Animal Hospital, for helping to make this event successful. The Zoo would also like to thank their Paw Print sponsor, Elaine’s Pet Resorts, and their Bark Booth sponsor, Woofie’s of North Fresno.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo is thrilled at the community’s response to the event and thankful to the community for their support at this year’s ZooBoo. Thanks to the outpouring of feedback, the Zoo is excited to bring back Sniffari Night events in the future. You can get tickets for Sniffari Night – IllumiNature Edition taking place on December 9th, 2025 on Fresno Chaffee Zoo’s website now.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo is pleased to announce that it has been honored with two of the greatest achievements in the zoological and conservation fields from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Kingdoms of Asia was awarded the Top Honors Exhibit Award while the Zoo’s Coexist with Wildlife, California campaign was recognized with the Top Honors AZA Advocacy Impact Award. These awards were presented at AZA’s annual conference in September, where over 2,800 zoo and aquarium professionals connect to share missions, ideas, and updates while emphasizing the vision to protect and save species.

“To receive even one of these awards is an honor that many institutions strive for but never achieve,” said Jon Forrest Dohlin, Fresno Chaffee Zoo CEO and Zoo Director. “To receive two in the same cycle — for such different and meaningful efforts in the name of conservation — is a rare achievement that reflects the breadth and depth of our mission to inspire people to care for animals, create connections, build community, and save wildlife.”

Kingdoms of Asia

The Top Honors Exhibit Award praised Kingdoms of Asia for its excellence in design, animal care, and community-building. This new exhibit transports guests to the lush landscapes of Southeast Asia, featuring expansive habitats for endangered species, including Malayan tigers, orangutans, and Komodo dragons. With over three acres of beautifully themed environments, the exhibit emphasizes conservation, cultural connection, and the importance of protecting biodiversity in one of the world’s most threatened ecological regions.

Kingdoms of Asia is not just a reflection of natural habitats—it reflects human ones, too.  Working closely with cultural advisors, the Zoo created immersive scenes that blend natural and architectural storytelling and layers in oral histories from local community members.

“This award is a reflection of the incredible passion and talent of our entire team,” said Dohlin. “Kingdoms of Asia is more than a wildlife exhibit — it’s an immersive journey that highlights the rich culture of the people from Southeast Asia. We are deeply honored to be recognized by the AZA for this transformative project.”

Coexist with Wildlife, California

Also honored by AZA is the Zoo’s Coexist with Wildlife, California program that received the Top Honors Advocacy Impact Award. In 2024, Fresno Chaffee Zoo worked with institutions across California to spread awareness about the important and endangered wildlife in our home state. This public awareness campaign is a powerful, statewide initiative aimed at protecting California’s native wildlife and preserving the natural spaces they call home.

2024 marked the 100^th anniversary of the last sighting of the California grizzly bear, the symbol on our state flag, seen for the final time just miles from Fresno, in Sequoia National Forest in 1924. To commemorate this loss — and to prevent other species from facing the same fate — conservation institutions from across California united in launching Coexist with Wildlife, California and successfully advanced a bipartisan State resolution with lasting impact.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team and partners who brought this campaign to life,” said Dohlin. “Coexist with Wildlife, California is a shining example of how advocacy, education, and collaboration can drive our vision for a just future where people and wildlife not only coexist, but thrive together.”

Two Remarkable Achievements

Fresno Chaffee Zoo is extremely honored to be presented with these two awards. This recognition follows the Zoo’s 2024 AZA Innovation in North American Conservation Award for the Blunt-Nosed Leopard Lizard Conservation Program. These honors are a direct result of the dedicated, enthusiastic, and hardworking staff whose continued commitment to excellence makes these moments possible.

“Congratulations to the team at Fresno Chaffee Zoo for their hard work and dedication in achieving this remarkable recognition,” said Dan Ashe, president and CEO at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “These awards recognize the best of the best in the global aquarium and zoo community. The work being done at Fresno Chaffee Zoo further strengthens the impact of our entire community and is something Fresno can be proud of.”

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a non-profit organization that represents 254 facilities internationally. These accredited facilities meet the highest standards of animal care and welfare while providing a fun, safe, and educational experience. AZA is dedicated to the advancement of aquariums and zoos in areas of conservation, science, education, and recreation. Fresno Chaffee Zoo is proud to be honored by this impactful organization.