Measure Z helping Fresno Chaffee Zoo reach new heights

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Transformation is taking place at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo. Months into construction, the long-awaited African Adventure exhibit is coming to life.

"It's going to be the biggest project that the community has seen at the zoo, in the history of the zoo. So I couldn't be more excited about it," Fresno Chaffee Zoo Executive Director Scott Barton said.

He says the nearly $56 million expansion project comes from taxpayer-supported Measure Z.

"It doubles the size of the zoo. The first phase is a 13-acre Africa savannah. It brings back lions, cheetahs, rhinos to the zoo, other animals like meerkats, African elephants. It's going to be spectacular," said Barton.

The African exhibit allows people to get up close to the creatures. The feeding station is where people will be able to stand on an elevated platform and feed giraffes at eye level.

While work continues at the new exhibit, on the ground, officials have already seen major success. Measure Z has allowed them to build or beautify exhibits like Stingray Bay and Sea Lion Cove, which won top exhibit in the world by the AZA.

"The support from the community has been amazing, so we've almost doubled our attendance. In the last five years alone, a 65-percent increase in attendance as people really respond to the projects we're doing," said Barton.

Barton also feels the rebuilding of the zoo has instilled a sense of pride and helped drive tourism to their doors -- something he thinks will grow as more animals like tigers and hippos are added to the zoo.

"Really if people are excited about what we've done so far, they haven't seen anything yet," he said.

African Adventure will open to visitors October 2015.