Searching for Zootopia
Meet Dean Watanabe, the Chief Conservation Education Officer at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo in California, and in charge of their new Angkor-inspired Kingdoms of Asia exhibit
Let’s talk about the Kingdoms of Asia exhibit – what is it?
Kingdoms of Asia is a reimagining of the heart of the zoo. This area has been home to many animals throughout the years, most recently Malayan tigers, sloth bears, one horned rhinos, and others. With support from our tax measure, we are building an immersive exhibit complex that transports guests to ancient Khmer structures set in the midst of tropical jungle. There will be large spaces for Malayan tigers, sloth bears, songbirds, Sumatran orangutans, siamangs, Komodo Dragons, and many other species.
I understand there is a large Southeast Asian community in the Central Valley area where the zoo is located. How have you connected with them to develop Kingdoms of Asia?
I’m proud of the work we’ve done with our Khmer-American community here in Fresno, as well as those of Hmong and Lao descent. This cultural advisory council has helped us elevate the authenticity of the Kingdoms exhibit while also bringing a greater connection to our local communities. We worked with a core group of 10-15 cultural advisors from a variety of organizations and backgrounds. They were part of our design team, working hand-in-hand with designers, zookeepers, and architects. We also engaged the community as a whole through surveys, opportunities for input, and by sharing images and concepts for Kingdoms at various local cultural events.
Did anything change after meeting with cultural leaders?
Many of our cultural concepts, which started as more general became much more refined after community meetings. As we learned more about Khmer history, art, and architecture, everything just became so much richer and fuller. It went from being simply an immersive zoo exhibit to also becoming a cultural learning experience.
How is conservation represented in Kingdoms of Asia?
We will have messaging - both through signs and live interpretation - about all of our conservation efforts in Southeast Asia, as well as opportunities for our guests to take their own personal actions. Specifically, we’ll be talking about sustainable palm oil, reducing animal trafficking, as well as wild animal rescue, release, and rehabilitation.
Can you tell me a bit more about the Fresno Chaffee Zoo?
Fresno Chaffee Zoo is a 39 acre zoo within Fresno’s Roeding Park. While most of our visitors come from Central California, we also annually welcome folks from around the Unites States and from other countries around the world. The zoo was established way back in 1929 and been a central part of Fresno’s community ever since. In 2004, Fresno County passed Measure Z, an income tax measure of one-tenth of one percent that helps fund incredible capital projects as well as one-third of our operating budget.
What have been the most popular attractions, and why?
Measure Z has allowed the zoo to open two major new exhibits so far: Sea Lion Cove and African Adventure. Both offer detailed and themed exhibits that not only provide excellent animal care, but also an immersive experience. Sea Lion Cove transports visitors to the Central Californian coast and is home to seals and sea lions. It offers a beachside view as well as underwater viewing. African Adventure was a landmark in the zoo’s history, doubling the size of the zoo and adding enormous savanna exhibits for elephants, white rhinoceros, wildebeest, giraffe, lions, and many other animals.
You are the zoo's Chief Conservation Education Officer, what does that role actually entail on a day to day basis?
I oversee three main mission-critical areas of the zoo: education, conservation, and communication. Our education team facilitates on-site, off-site, and virtual learning experiences for families and schools. We also have a large volunteer corps and a team of skilled Conservation Interpreters that bring our conservation work directly to our guests. Fresno Chaffee Zoo supports various field conservation work around the world through our Wildlife Conservation Fund. We have key conservation partners on every continent but Antarctica, and provide grants for small projects around the world.
How did you first become involved with zoological work?
I’ve been working in zoos since I was in college, and learned very quickly about the impact that zoos have in connecting people to nature. So much of what I do is about connecting people to conservation opportunities and motivating them to action. I have worked at four different zoos in the United States: Utah’s Hogle Zoo, the Phoenix Zoo, the Wildlife Conservation Society’s New York Aquarium, and now Fresno Chaffee Zoo.
Was it an area you had been interested in since childhood?
I have always loved zoos. My family used to drive across the country growing up and, along the way, visited zoos in almost every major city. I remember feeling a powerful connection with animals and I’ve been lucky enough to carry that over to my work.
What have been some big conservation success stories?
One of our conservation partners is the Tiger Conservation Campaign in Malaysia. This group of dedicated people are working in the Endau-Rompin landscape to end tiger trafficking. Through anti-poaching patrols and by removing thousands of wire snares every year, they not only save tigers, but hundreds of other species that call these forests home. The Sumatran Rhino Rescue Program is also taking bold steps to prevent the extinction of this critically endangered species. With fewer than 80 individuals, their numbers have continued to decline rapidly due to poaching and limited breeding. The goal of the current rescue program is to bring the remaining population together in managed breeding centers to increase their numbers before returning the individuals back to their protected zones within the national parks.
What do you hope visitors take away with them after a visit?
I do what I do to help people make personal connections to nature. By experiencing these very special moments with friends and families, we also help to strengthen those relationships, too. I’m so proud of what my teams accomplish. I want visitors to know that conservation isn’t far away - it’s really the actions we all take every day to make a difference for wildlife. Zoos provide a portal to the natural world for many people who might never be able to experience it themselves, so they can then take those actions.
How do you persuade someone to visit their first ever zoo?
First, make sure that the zoo you’re planning to visit meets the expected standards for animal welfare, conservation, and education. This is typically done by an accrediting organization, such as the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) in the US, or the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). By supporting these zoos, you are supporting conservation and helping to provide critical care for wild animals. Zoos and aquariums have a powerful platform for conservation and community change.
Lend your support so your voice is heard, too!