Fresno Chaffee Zoo Logs 25 Mammal Births

Breeding and nursery programs have produced a run of new arrivals at the zoo over the last two years, with more breeding plans in development.

Updated on Nov. 13, 2026 in Wildlife

Photo of a mother African elephant walking beside her small calf across dry grass in a sunlit zoo enclosure, with a low log fence and pale sky. — Fresno Chaffee Zoo has logged 25 mammal births over the last two years, including African elephant calves Tando and Davu, a baby rhino, a giraffe calf, lion cubs, and a new orangutan. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Fresno Chaffee Zoo recorded 25 mammal births and one significant bird hatching over the last two years. Recent arrivals include African elephant calves Tando and Davu, a baby rhino, a giraffe calf, lion cubs Indy and Jubilee, and a new orangutan.

Why it matters

The births reflect ongoing breeding and nursery work at the zoo, which gives Fresno residents and visitors a chance to see young animals and their mothers up close. Zoo staff are developing breeding plans for additional arrivals.

The zoo reported 25 mammal births and one significant bird hatching over the last two years. Zoo staff have not yet set timelines for the next expected arrivals.

The players

Fresno Chaffee Zoo

A zoo in Fresno, California, known for its animal breeding and nursery programs.

The details

Breeding and nursery programs at Fresno Chaffee Zoo produced the recent births, including African elephant calves Tando and Davu, who celebrated their second birthdays, a baby rhino, a giraffe calf, lion cubs Indy and Jubilee, and a new orangutan born less than two weeks before publication. Visitors can observe mothers and babies up close at the zoo.

Over the last two years, the zoo recorded 25 mammal births and one bird hatching.
A new orangutan was born less than two weeks before publication.
Calves Tando and Davu celebrated their second birthdays.

Season Trajectory

The zoo's recent run of births extends its breeding and nursery work at Fresno Chaffee Zoo. The zoo hopes Malayan tigers and sloth bears will produce babies next.

Fresno residents can visit the zoo to see the newborn elephants, rhino, giraffe, lion cubs, and orangutan along with their mothers. The zoo's breeding plans mean more young animals may be on view in the future.

The takeaway

Watching young animals with their mothers at a zoo offers a close look at how breeding and nursery programs work. Check zoo visiting hours and animal viewing areas before a trip to plan around the newest arrivals.