Immersive Kingdoms of Asia exhibit opens at Fresno Chaffee Zoo. Here’s what it looks like

The latest exhibit at Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo is a grand showcase; a logistical, and theatrical, feat that CEO Jon Forrest Dohlin believes is central to guests’ understanding, not just of the animals of southeast Asia which it features, but also to the zoo’s approach to business.

Dohlin oversaw a ribbon-cutting Saturday morning, officially welcoming guests into the Kingdoms of Asia, through an entrance designed with the help of cultural advisory committee.

It was built to look like stonework ruins — with a giant carved face and snakes, and two tiger statues guarding the scene — and based on the Angkor Wat temple in Cambodia. The theme carries throughout the exhibit.

Beyond the gate, Penari, one of two Malayan tigers on exhibit, lurked through its enclosure, partially camouflaged among the foliage.

A sloth bear noisily shook and pawed at large faux rock, designed for just that purpose.

“That’s a classic bear move, right there,” said Nicole Presley, the zoo’s general curator.

This is the zoo’s first major project since opening its African Adventure exhibit in 2015 and much like that project, the habitats in Kingdoms of Asia are designed not only to be larger and more accessible to public viewing — think plenty of windows and viewing platforms — but also allow animals to interact with the environments much as they would in the wild.

The sloth bear exhibit, for example, is 12,000 square feet, 10 times the size of its original enclosure, and features artificial termite mounds and hidden toys. The two tiger enclosures — the animals are solitary and kept separated — have rock and water features, including a pool surrounded by glass (tigers love to swim).

There are also natural trees and logs where the animals can sharpen their claws.

Along with the tigers and sloth bear, the new exhibit houses small-clawed otters (cute!), a komodo dragon, sunda gharial fresh water crocodile, and the siamang and Sumatran orangutan enclosure, which was updated to include glass in the viewing platform.

There are also river turtles and full aviary full of songbird species.

Presley calls the animals here ambassadors for their wildlife counterparts. Many of the species are endangered or under threat and the zoo’s included conservation messaging throughout the exhibit.

In particular, the orangutan enclosure has information on the dangers of palm oil, which has led to massive deforestation and is in a massive amount of consumer products.

The Longek Marketplace

Within the exhibit, guests can enjoy food at The Longek Marketplace. This is quick bite, almost street-food fare, designed to be eaten on the go, though there are shaded tables available for those needing a rest. The menu here includes Asian-inspired skewers — steak, pork and a breaded chicken — along with eggs rolls and an Asian-inspired take on loaded tater tots.

The zoo says it is also working with local restaurants to create rotating menu specials. That should debut over the next couple of months.

‘This will be very popular’

The zoo expected more than 5,000 guests pass through on opening day and by mid-morning the walkways were full, if not quite packed, with parents and children crowding the more popular enclosures.

Currently, capacity is being limited with guests allowed in at timed intervals throughout the day. Those wanting to see the exhibit will be given an entrance time on their ticket, though they should arrive early, to deal with parking and the like, Dohlin said.

That process will likely continue through the summer.

“We expect this will be very popular,” he said.