The Fresno Chaffee Zoo has hit a milestone. In 2011, they surpassed their attendance record. Last year, 511,747 passed through the zoo's doors breaking the previous attendance record of 504,654 set back in 1989.

In 2011, Fresno Chaffee Zoo had visitors from fifty-four out of the fifty-eight counties in California, forty-nine out of fifty states along with U.S. territories Puerto Rico and Washington D.C, and nine countries from around the world.

“This community loves their Zoo and we continue to see a remarkable level of support,” said Zoo Director Scott Barton.  “A day at the Zoo is affordable family fun that creates memories that last a lifetime.”

Zoo officials attribute some of the increase in attendance to the popular attraction DinoDig, which opened in the spring of 2010, the construction of Sea Lion Cove, and the increase in Zoo fundraising events. 

High winds have turned this morning into a mess. The winds have ripped trees out of the ground, blocked off streets, and knocked out power to about 17,000 PG&E customers. A strong wind storm is sweeping across Northern and Central California today and continuing through Friday, December 2. Wind speeds of 35 to 45 miles per hour with gusts up to 70 mph have resulted in falling trees knocking down power lines and poles, causing electric service interruptions throughout the region. PG&E crews are working to restore power outages as quickly and safely as possible.

2,400 customers in West Fresno are without power, in an area south from Shaw to Clinton, and west from West Avenue to Hayes.

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo is sad to announce that their beloved Malayan tiger, Kiri has died. Kiri was 11 years-old. Zookeepers say that she recently began to show a decline in health and began vomiting and was unable to keep fluids down. Zoo staff and medical experts at St. Agnes Medical center performed various tests but were not able to find the source of her illness. 

Kiri first came to the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in 2000 on loan from the Cincinnati Zoo. She became a permanent zoo resident in 2005 and quickly became a favorite of guests at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. 

“Kiri was a favorite and much loved part of Fresno Chaffee Zoo, both by our community and staff.  We are devastated at her passing and will miss her greatly,” stated Lyn Myers, Assistant Curator.