Fresno Chaffee Zoo image

A local business leader has made a transformational gift to a Fresno entertainment and education staple.

The Fresno Chaffee Zoo announced its Centennial Campaign with a seven-figure pledge from Club One Casino owner Kyle Kirkland. Kirkland is board chair for the zoo and is also known for his animal welfare advocacy.

Kirkland revealed in an interview Thursday that the amount was $1 million.

“If we want to have something beautiful, we have to maintain it,” Kirkland said.

Fresno Chaffee Zoo celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2029, with its masterplan calling for significant investment in exhibits and infrastructure upgrades over the next decade.

The zoo just recently unveiled its new Kingdoms of Asia exhibit.

Kirkland’s gift, the largest individual gift in Fresno Chafee Zoo history, is a spark to start the next campaign, according to a zoo news release.

“My family’s gift today demonstrates our strong belief in the Zoo’s mission and leadership, its position as a premier Central Valley destination and source of community pride, and our deep appreciation of the community’s ongoing support for our care for animals through Measure Z. We hope other donors will follow our lead in the Centennial Campaign and invest in the Jewel of the Central Valley,” Kirkland said in a statement.

Over the last two decades, with support through Measure Z, the zoo has grown to be a highly respected zoological institution with world-class exhibits, acclaimed conservation efforts and educational opportunities, according to the release.

The master plan will transform the zoo to a must-see destination with new exhibits of regional flora and fauna, improved parking and support facilities and additional place-based education and entertainment venues, according to the release.

“Two decades of Measure Z funding has allowed the Fresno Chaffee Zoo to evolve from an outdated city zoo to a respected, [Association of Zoos & Aquariums]-accredited zoological institution, envied for its award-winning exhibits, highly effective conservation efforts, and diverse and talented staff,” stated CEO and Zoo Director Jon Forrest Dohlin.