FRESNO, Calif. (FOX26) — The Fresno Chaffee Zoo announced it will be closing its Tropical Rainforest Aviary after 38 years.
The aviary opened on May 14th, 1988.
The decision to close the exhibit is due to it not meeting the zoo’s standards for the welfare and safety of the birds.
The closure is effective July 5th.
It will reopen at a later date, but there won’t be any animals included in the experience.
Fresno Chaffee Zoo closing Tropical Rainforest Aviary after 38 years
FOX26 News reached out to the zoo to find out why Measure Z funds were not used to update it, instead of closing it.
Measure Z has generated approximately $171 million for capital improvement projects at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. Could you share how projects are prioritized, and why the tropical rainforest aviary was not considered for improvements?
The Fresno Chaffee Zoo responded with the following:
As part of our long-term master plan, every area of the zoo was carefully evaluated, and a phased schedule was developed to address priorities over the next fifteen years. Through that evaluation, it was determined that a new front entrance and new, immersive exhibit experiences in the zoo met a greater need.