Chaffee Zoo is a Fresno jewel. Voters can keep it great by marking yes on Measure Z

Lions, African elephants, meerkat, cheetahs, giraffes, southern white rhinoceros and warthogs. Those are the residents of African Adventure, one of the most popular exhibits at Fresno Chaffee Zoo. Visitors get up-close looks at animals that otherwise are only found in the wild.

Or, for a different experience, Fresno Chaffee visitors can take a trip into a simulated Central Coast rocky shore and watch sea lions swim, frolic and loll in the zoo’s Sea Lion Cove.

Both headliner exhibits were made possible by Measure Z, the tax that Fresno County residents strongly supported in 2004 and again in 2014.

Measure Z is up for renewal again, this time in the June primary. Like other tax measures, it needs two-thirds of the voters to back it for passage.

The Bee Editorial Board recommends voters support renewal of Measure Z for two key reasons:

▪ The educational power of Fresno Chaffee Zoo cannot be duplicated. On average, 100,000 students and teachers visit the zoo each year on field trips to learn about animals and their environments. For children growing up in urban Fresno especially, the value of that firsthand learning is priceless.

▪ The zoo is a leader in its field nationally, and is a local jewel of a destination. There is a lot to dislike about living in Fresno — summertime heat, year-round smog, bad crime. Fresno Chaffee Zoo is a real positive that should continue to get even better.

Chaffee Zoo history

It wasn’t always this way.

The zoo was in bad shape in 2004. Exhibits were crumbling and the infrastructure was in disrepair. The longtime director resigned the year before, telling Fresnans they either needed to support Fresno Chaffee properly or dismantle it.

That inspired a 10-year-old girl, Angel Arellano, to send $1 to The Bee with a note that she wanted to help the zoo. Her simple act led to the first Measure Z campaign, which passed with 73% voter approval.

Similarly, more than 70% of voters backed Measure Z when it came up for renewal in 2014. Yard signs featuring little gray elephants helped carry the Yes on Z message.

This time around, a group called Valley Taxpayers Coalition opposes the renewal. It says that continuing the tax violates the promises of the original Measure Z promoters who pledged it would not be permanent. The coalition also notes that unfortunate timing of the new request, given how inflation and gas prices are high.

Evolving and improving

The group’s views, however, fail to recognize that the zoo is not a static display put up once and never again changed. With the revenue generated by Measure Z, zoo leaders can create new exhibits and keep the experience fresh for visitors.

Given the strong support in the prior elections, Fresno County voters agree with that approach. Another way to gauge public sentiment is attendance: Between 750,000 to 800,000 people visit the zoo each year.

Specifically, backing Measure Z means continuing a one-tenth of 1% sales tax — which is a dime for every $100 spent on retail transactions.

Since its original launch in 2004, Measure Z has generated $135 million. Two-thirds of the money goes to capital projects; one-third is used for operations and maintenance.

Voting for Measure Z now will extend it for 15 more years — not permanently. Oscar Garcia, Fresno County auditor-controller, estimates that a total of $225 million will be generated. A nonprofit board oversees the spending and issues an annual report to the public.

Have you ever seen a Malayan tiger? Or sloth bears, orangutans, rhinoceros hornbills or Komodo dragons? They are planned to be part of the new $38 million exhibit under construction called Kingdoms of Asia. The zoo broke ground on it in 2020, and it is to open later this year or in 2023.

It also features displays rock work inspired by ancient Cambodian architecture. The zoo collaborated with local members of Southeast Asian groups to ensure authenticity.

Such a neat exhibit is only possible because of the funding provided by Measure Z. By once again renewing the measure, voters will assure the potential and promise of the zoo for years to come. The Bee Editorial Board recommends a yes vote.