Fresno Chaffee Zoo CEO Jon Forrest Dohlin addressed the community’s concerns over the planned closure of the Tropical Rainforest Aviary, saying the exhibit will close July 5, but will not be demolished.
Dohlin said the nearly 40-year-old aviary no longer meets modern standards due to three main issues: aging infrastructure, water conservation, and accessibility.
According to the zoo, dense trees and vines make it difficult to inspect and repair the aviary’s mesh enclosure, while the exhibit’s water system must be drained, cleaned, and refilled daily rather than recycled like newer exhibits.
“It’s brutal on water conservation,” Dohlin said.
He also said the aviary was built before many current ADA requirements were established.
Despite community pushback and an online petition to save the exhibit, Dohlin said there are no plans to tear the structure down.
“There’s absolutely no plans to demolish that exhibit,” he said.
Instead, the zoo plans to transform the area into a shaded botanical experience while addressing maintenance and accessibility concerns.
Dohlin said the reimagined space could reopen within months and no later than next year.
FOX26 also asked why the public has not been invited to help shape the future of the taxpayer-supported space.
The zoo said there are currently no plans to use Measure Z funds for the reimagined rainforest exhibit.
The Tropical Rainforest Aviary is scheduled to close on July 5.