How to Start a Zoo Business

Part 1 - How to start a Zoo business - Background

Zoos are family-friendly attractions where everyone can see their favorite animals, learn more about nature, and enjoy related entertainment. They also function as wildlife preserves of some of the most endangered species.

Our guide is in 3 parts:

• Part 1 - How to start a Zoo business - Background
• Part 2 - Our planner tool to see if this idea is the right fit for you
• Part 3 - Action plan to get started

What are the costs involved in opening a zoo business?

The costs will all depend on what types of animals you have and the land you use. You’ll need to pay for their food and care, as well as staff to maintain the grounds and run concession stands around the park. It’s not unusual for a park to spend $10,000 to $12,000 per day (or more) just to keep up with costs, plus millions more on elaborate exhibits. That’s a tall order for anyone.

What are the ongoing expenses for a zoo business?

Ongoing expenses include veterinary care, license renewals, ground maintenance, and staff salaries. They’ll also need to add and maintain exhibits throughout the years. Successful zoo professionals will look for any excuse to save money . For example, they may use roadkill to feed their animals as long as it doesn’t endanger their safety.

Who is the target market?

Families are usually the largest market, but zoos are truly made for everyone. Even in a down economy, parents will always be looking for things to do with their kids, and zoos are a relatively affordable and fun activity for all.

How does a zoo business make money?

Zoos make money from both ticket sales and donations. There are plenty of wealthy benefactors that want to do their part to protect animals. Luckily, the majesty of certain species is usually enough to inspire people to give to your cause. However, most zoos are nonprofit as their mission is focused on the welfare of animals. They will often rely on city funding as well (which is unfortunately subject to change.)

How much can you charge customers?

Zoos can charge based on their size and demand. Just one adult ticket to the San Diego Zoo is $54 for adults and $44 for children. Plus, owners can charge for a variety of experiences, including special breakfasts or animal shows. These special endeavors can easily add on an extra $30 to $50 a day without deducting very much from the overall budget.

How much profit can a zoo business make?

While most zoos are technically non-profits, they can make enough money to generate sizable salaries. However, on the whole, zoos have been cutting back on their exhibits as of late — even as they continue to raise the price of admission. This is due to inordinately high bills and cuts in city or donor funding.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Zoos have been steadily adding attractions like water slides or other types of rides for their patrons. These attractions are not only fun, they also allow owners to raise the cost of admission without threatening ticket sales.

Day-to-Day and Growth

What happens during a typical day at a zoo business?

Zoos are notorious for being chaotic, so owners may have to pitch in on any or all of the following tasks:

• Acquiring animals

• Administering husbandry

• Advertising

• Managing staff

• Planning the budget

• Assessing sales

• Complying with city regulations

• Liability insurance

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful zoo business?

Those who have a history of veterinary work or a life science background can use those skills to build their success in this industry. Zoos are extremely labor intensive, so owners should have at least worked or volunteered in an existing zoo to understand exactly what they’re jumping into. Resourcefulness is often the biggest factor when it comes to how successful a zoo can be.

What is the growth potential for a zoo business?

Most larger cities will have a zoo, which can pose some very stiff competition. However, there is room available in even the most seemingly saturated of markets. Owners who look for an animal niche or an angle that hasn’t been filled (or a forgotten part of the country) to grow their business.

What are some insider tips for jump starting a zoo business?

Most people would never consider starting a zoo because it’s a lot of work without a very good chance of a reward. Few entrepreneurs could find the money (or the space) to compete with established zoos in large cities that have managed to build up decades of experience and public recognition.

And yet, there are things an owner can do differently in order to attract a public audience. For example, San Diego not only has their famous zoo, but they also have a Safari Park. In a Safari Park, the animals are all roaming on open land rather than hanging out in exhibits, and customers are given rides throughout the grounds to see animals in a slightly more natural habitat. By tweaking the format a little, the Safari Park has managed to become a hit destination alongside their incredibly impressive zoo. Residents of San Diego and business experts alike may not have been able to have predicted its success.

Those who are just getting off the ground with their zoo may want to consider something on a smaller scale. They may want to contact professionals who handle exotic animals and talk to them about the best ways to both protect them and share them with the public. Owners may want to start off with a mobile enterprise in smaller towns in order to establish themselves.

How and when to build a team

You will need to build a team immediately. No zoo can even begin without having enough licensed vets and caretakers to administer daily feedings and to handle emergencies. Owners should hire people who have plenty of professional experience working with unusual or foreign animals. This will not only keep the animals safe, it will also lower the cost of your liability insurance (or at least, make it less likely you’ll ever need to use it.)

Part 2 - Is a Zoo business the right fit for you?

Part 3 - Action plan to launch your Zoo business in 90 days