FRESNO, CA (KMJ) – Fresno Chaffee Zoo is feeling the financial pain from the pandemic.
The zoo is seeing funds draining after being shut down two months ago, amidst a stay at home order that has stifled thousands upon thousands of guests from making visits to the 28 acre animal habitat.
March, April, May are the busiest months of the year and normally when the zoo makes most of its annual 18 million dollar budget, according to Zoo Director, Scott Barton.
The Zoo is still waiting to reopen, but it’s considered part of Stage 3 in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s reopening plan for the State of California.
The Zoo’s Director, speaking Tuesday on KMJ’s Broeske and Musson Show says there are still animals to feed, and $340,000 of expenses a week.
Barton says one way you can help is to buy a zoo membership – and that can be done online.
Click to listen to the report by KMJ’s Liz Kern:
