Fresno Chaffee Zoo increases prices Jan. 1

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo will increase its admission prices beginning Jan. 1 to help offset expenses from rising minimum wage and health care costs. Adults will increase from $7 to $10 and admission for children, ages 2 to 11, and seniors will increase from $3.50 to $5.50.

The zoo hasn’t raised its prices since 2004.

“Our goal is to keep prices affordable,” said Scott Barton, Fresno Chaffee Zoo CEO. “Thanks to Measure Z, we can continue to keep our admission prices low and also continue to be a great value to our community.”

Measure Z is the tenth-of-a-cent countywide sales tax measure that has funded improvements to the zoo, including the new 13-acre, $56 million African Adventure exhibit that opened in October and the Sea Lion Cove exhibit. The tax was reauthorized for another 10 years in 2014.

Since the opening of the African Adventure exhibit, the zoo has added 30 full-time staff and nearly 60 animals.

“With the recent expansion, the zoo has nearly doubled in size; therefore, the cost to operate goes up,” Barton said. “The expansion delivers a world-class zoo with an incredible guest experience that Fresno County can be proud of.”

Compared to other accredited facilities, the Fresno Chaffee Zoo remains one of the most affordable in the country despite the price increase, the zoo said.

This story was originally published December 29, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Fresno Chaffee Zoo increases prices Jan. 1."