Merced zoo to receive $1.8 million for upgrades, its first major investment since opening

Windfall and Missy have lived at the Applegate Park Zoo in Merced for more than 15 years.

Although the two bears appear to be comfortable in their 1,000 square foot habitat, zoo officials would like them to have even more.

“We want our girls to upgrade somewhere bigger,” L’nyssa Ledford, a zookeeper, said. That somewhere bigger would be a habitat of about 4,000 square feet.

And that is what city leaders plan to do with part of $1.8 million in pandemic recovery funds Merced City Council recently approved to be directed toward zoo improvements. It would be the first major investment since the zoo opened in 1962, according to a city spokesperson.

In addition to improvements to the bear exhibit, changes could also include a full-time tortoise sanctuary, improved walkways, and upgraded electrical and plumbing systems.

Jackie Guevara and her 3-year-old daughter were taking a birthday stroll through the zoo recently. It happened to be her daughter’s birthday. Guevara is a frequent visitor, she said her family frequents the park about once every two weeks.

“It’s a fun way to get out of the house, and it’s not that expensive,” she said.

About 30,000 people visit the park annually, according to Christopher Jensen, director of Parks & Community Services. “It’s growing,” he said.

Council voted 5-2 to approve the funds with Jesse Ornelas and Fue Xiong, who represents District 6, voting against the motion.

Ornelas, who represents District 1, said he values the zoo and park services in general but thinks the pandemic recovery funds are not the proper funding source for the improvements.

“I’ve been saying over and over again for the last few years that these types of dollars are meant to be used on the impacts of COVID on the people of Merced,” Ornelas told the Merced Sun-Star.

Zoo improvements are slated to begin in the fall of 2025.

Jensen said the facility will remain open during construction.

The project’s timeline includes approving a contract by year-end, acquiring appropriate permits by spring of 2025 and beginning construction in the fall of 2025.

“The facility will remain open as much as physically possible with the work being done,” Jensen said. This will permit students, residents and visitors to continue learning about various animals living in the Central Valley.

Ledford, who’s been an employee at Applegate Zoo for three years, described Windfall and Missy as animals who were imprinted by and enjoy the company of humans. Both are under the care and protection of zoo staff for this reason.

Windfall, a 21-year-old American brown bear arrived at the park in 2005. Three years later she was joined by Missy, 17. Both bears were rescued. Visitors can meet both during the zoo’s open hours.

Zoo hours are 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday through Sunday. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for children ages 3-13, $2 for residents aged 60 and older, and free for infants under 2 years old.

This story was originally published December 16, 2024 at 4:25 PM.