Merced City Council OKs budget deal for Applegate Park Zoo

The more than 50-year-old Applegate Park Zoo will continue to receive about 41 percent of its operating budget from the Merced Zoological Society after a recent agreement with Merced City Council.

The council unanimously approved the deal of at least $85,000 last month, which will come from the nonprofit that has worked with the city since 1994.

Generally, the money is used for operating expenses such as maintaining animal health, supplies, landscaping and staff costs. The society drums up the money through fundraising and by charging an admission fee, among other efforts.

Last year, the nonprofit was required to contribute the same amount to the city, but ended up contributing $87,800. There have been other times in the last 20 years that their contributions have exceeded what was asked of them, according to city records.

The zoo has enclosures that house about 75 animals, including tortoises, a mountain lion and a black bear.

This year the overall budget for the zoo at 1045 W. 25th St. is $206,187.

The zoo is open seven days a week and is currently on its winter schedule, which is 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information, call the office at (209) 385-6840.

This story was originally published February 3, 2015 at 8:08 PM with the headline "Merced City Council OKs budget deal for Applegate Park Zoo."