Zoo New England

Name

Zoo New England

Legal name

Commonwealth Zoological Corporation

Website

https://zoonewengland.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1912

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoological Park Operations & Wildlife Conservation

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL), Conservation Parks & Private Nature Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAFAB)

Keywords

• Zoological park operations
• Wildlife conservation programs
• Animal experiences tours
• Zoo education programs
• Membership subscription zoo

Headquarters

HQ city

Boston

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. General admission ticketing (daytime gate and online): One-time paid admission tickets purchased at the gate or online with plan-ahead dynamic pricing. Tickets are one-time-use, non-refundable, valid only for the date/time noted and rain-or-shine. Pricing varies by date, time, demand and channel (online vs. gate).
2. Annual membership subscriptions (two zoos for one price): Recurring annual memberships with tiered levels (including The Wild Things emerging-leaders tier) covering both Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo. Includes free admission, discounts on food/merchandise, party rentals, education programs, member-only events, and habitat previews. Members can apply a daytime admission receipt toward membership within seven days.
3. Donations, philanthropy and Zoodopt sponsorships: Charitable giving including one-time and recurring monthly donations by check, phone, donor-advised fund, employer match, and online. Tax-deductible. Zoodopt tiered symbolic animal sponsorships at Zookeeper ($25), Senior Zookeeper ($50) and Lead Zookeeper ($250). Additional named funds: Jonathan Gilmour Memorial Scholarship Fund, Louise Felton Memorial Zookeepers Fund, Oral Health Care Among Species Program, President's Circle, Sponsor a Bench, Honor/Memorial Gifts, Charitable Gift Planning, Corporate Support, Foundation Support, and Shop our Wishlist.
4. Ticketed 21+ and after-hours events: Revenue from special fundraising and tasting events such as Ales & Tails (Stone Zoo, VIP $200, Members $65, Non-members $70, Day-of up to $75, Designated Driver $45-$50) and Bourbon and BBQ at Stone Zoo. Proceeds support operations, education and conservation.
5. Ticketed seasonal lantern and lights festivals: Boston Lights at Franklin Park Zoo (August 14 – November 8) and ZooLights at Stone Zoo are major ticketed seasonal events driving significant attendance and revenue.
6. Private events, venue rentals and catering: Birthday parties, corporate events, weddings, proposals, walkathons and parties-for-all-occasions across multiple named indoor/outdoor venues (Butterfly Oasis, Canopy Courtyard, Children's Zoo Meeting Barn, Maple Glen, Nature's Pavilion, Oak Lea Tent, Pine Knoll, Tropical Forest, Tropical Forest Classroom, Entire Zoo, Nature's Neighborhoods & Franklin Farm).
7. Educational programs and camp tuition: Fee-based offerings including ZooCamp, Wild Explorers, School-Year ZooTeens (paid), Summer ZooTeen, Scout Programs, school field trips, and "Zoo Programs in Your Classroom." Free weekday admission for Massachusetts K-12 school groups M-F during school year.
8. Behind-the-scenes Animal Experiences: Paid, up-close animal encounters such as the Giraffe Experience at Franklin Park Zoo, including access for Zoodopt Lead Zookeeper level and similar add-ons.
9. Zootopia fundraising gala (annual): Annual fundraising gala at a Boston venue (Royal Sonesta Boston historically) combining auction, dinner and the Young Conservationist Award presentation with a $2,500 scholarship.
10. On-site retail and food & beverage: Revenue from gift shops (Trading Post, Franklin Park gift shop) selling souvenirs, plush, sundries, basic medications; and food service at Farmhouse Café, Kalahari Kitchen and Yukon Creek Café.
11. Gift cards and licensing-plate program: Zoo gift cards usable on admission, animal experiences, memberships, food and souvenirs, plus the ZNE "Saving Wildlife" specialty license plate program.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Zoo New England operates two AZA-accredited zoological parks—Franklin Park Zoo (72 acres in Boston) and Stone Zoo (26 acres in Stoneham, MA)—offering public admissions, annual memberships, behind-the-scenes animal encounters, education programs (ZooCamp, school field trips, Scout programs), private event rentals, and seasonal lantern festivals. The organization also runs a global field-conservation portfolio covering ~23 international species programs and 15+ New England regional conservation initiatives, supported by donations, sponsorships, and grants.

Product overview

Zoo New England operates as a dual-park zoological organization — not a software platform — under two physical core products: Franklin Park Zoo (a 72-acre zoo in Boston's Franklin Park) and Stone Zoo (a 26-acre zoo in Stoneham, MA). Around these two anchor parks sit modular offerings: habitat/exhibit modules (e.g., African Penguin Coast, Gorilla Grove, Raptor Ridge, Caribbean Coast, Giraffe Savannah, Tropical Forest, Treasures of the Sierra Madre, Himalayan Highlands, Butterfly Oasis, Butterfly Hollow), the Animal Experiences behind-the-scenes tour product, the Zoodopt symbolic-adoption program, the ZooCamp education program, the dual-park Zoo Membership subscription, and a portfolio of field conservation programs (including AZA SAFE partnerships, Species Survival Plans, Center for Zoonomics, and One Health). Event-based products layer on top, including ZooLights, Boston Lights, Ales & Tails, Zootopia, and themed days such as Penguin Days and World Giraffe Day, supported by live animal webcams as the primary digital product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Franklin Park Zoo: Core operating zoo brand located at 1 Franklin Park Road, Boston, MA 02121; a 72-acre facility housing African lions, gorillas, giraffes, penguins, tropical forest and other exhibits.
• Stone Zoo

Products and services

• Franklin Park Zoo Flagship 72-acre zoological park located in Boston's Franklin Park with multi-species habitats, 10,000-sq-ft playground, live animal webcams, and event venues, serving families, school groups, and tourists.
• Stone Zoo 26-acre zoological park in Stoneham, MA, featuring habitats such as Himalayan Highlands, Caribbean Coast, Mexican Gray Wolf Habitat, and the seasonal Butterfly Oasis, plus event venues for adults and families.
• Zoo Membership (one membership, two zoos)

Quantifiable outcome

• Over one million visitors annually across both zoos
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature8 records

Partnerships

32 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship conservation partner, core accessibility partner, education sponsor, seasonal marketing partner, recycling partner, field-conservation partner, media supporter, conservation partner, public-health partner, marketing partner, community program partner, community-health partner, digital content sponsor, community-welfare partner, concessions partner, event sponsor, aza peer partner, aza peer partners, animal-placement partner, animal-rescue partner, veterinary partner, bundle-distribution partner, transit-access partner, last-mile transit partner, verification vendor, campaign partner, local marketing partner and public-art campaign partner.

• SANCCOB (Southern African Foundation for the Conservation of Coastal Birds)flagship conservation partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerZoo New England is partnering with SANCCOB to support African penguin conservation along the coasts of South Africa. SANCCOB supports Penguin and Seabird Rangers at five vital seabird colonies — rescuing, rehabilitating and transporting injured, oiled or abandoned seabirds and eggs. The partnership anchors the new African Penguin Coast habitat at Franklin Park Zoo opening June 2026 and the surrounding "African Experience" expansion.
• KultureCitycore accessibility partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoth Franklin Park Zoo and Stone Zoo are Sensory Inclusive Certified through KultureCity. The partnership delivers sensory bags (fidget tools, verbal cue cards, noise-canceling headphones), communication boards, social stories, and integration with the KultureCity mobile app at both zoos.
• Primrose Schools (Greater Boston and New Hampshire)education sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimrose Schools in the Greater Boston and New Hampshire area announced as Education Sponsor of Zoo New England on 28 April 2025.
• New England Revolution (MLS)seasonal marketing partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerJoint Soccer Safari event at Franklin Park Zoo (June 20, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.) featuring The Battalion brand activation team, Slyde the mascot, giveaways and a family-membership giveaway.
• Boston Legacy FCseasonal marketing partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerBoston's professional women's soccer team co-participates in Soccer Safari at Franklin Park Zoo with street team, giveaways, fan activities and prize draws.
• Spiegel South Shore Scrap Metalrecycling partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRecycling partner for the "Lights for Lions" holiday-light drive at both zoos; recycling proceeds support conservation partner Lion Landscapes.
• MassWildlifefield-conservation partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerZoo New England's Field Conservation team partnered with MassWildlife to study and monitor wood turtles (announcement dated 11 April 2019).
• WBUR (Boston's NPR news station)media supporterGTM or Marketing PartnerListed as a Supporter of ZooLights at Stone Zoo.
• Lion Landscapesconservation partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerTanzania-based conservation partner supported through the Lights for Lions recycling drive; community-led conservation to protect large wild carnivores threatened by human-dominated landscapes.
• Massachusetts Department of Mental Healthpublic-health partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with ZNE on a Wellness Safari at Franklin Park and Stone zoos (10 May 2022) and on a children's mental health awareness initiative (26 April 2021).
• Samuel Adams (Boston Beer Company)marketing partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerFranklin Park Zoo and Samuel Adams collaborated on a 'new brew' partnership (19 May 2021).
• Boston Public Schoolscommunity program partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered on a poetry contest (2 February 2023) with World Unity Inc.
• Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Centercommunity-health partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerFranklin Park Zoo partnered to promote COVID-19 vaccinations (27 May 2021).
• New England Aquariumconservation partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined a new national partnership with New England Aquarium to protect America's turtles and end illegal trafficking (5 March 2020).
• U.Fund College Investing Plan / MEFAdigital content sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented #ZooToYou digital content (12 November 2020).
• World Unity Inc.community program partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with Franklin Park Zoo and Boston Public Schools on a poetry contest (2 February 2023).
• Animal Rescue League of Bostoncommunity-welfare partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerFranklin Park Zoo and Animal Rescue League teamed up on the 'Keep Pets S.A.F.E. and F.E.D.' program (19 September 2023).
• Mini Meltsconcessions partnerGTM or Marketing Partner'Zoo New England and Mini Melts: A partnership fueling delightful adventures' (11 July 2023).
• Kinder Joy (Ferrero)event sponsorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresented Stone Zoo's Spring Fling (28 February 2022).
• Roger Williams Park Zoo (Providence, RI)aza peer partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined Zoo New England and Beardsley Zoo in challenging Philadelphia-area zoos ahead of Super Bowl LII with a $1,000 donation / exhibit-cleaning bet (January 2018).
• Beardsley Zoo (Bridgeport, CT)aza peer partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoined the Super Bowl LII cross-zoo challenge.
• Elmwood Park Zoo (Norristown, PA) and Lehigh Valley Zoo (Schnecksville, PA)aza peer partnersStrategic or Co-development PartnerCounterparties to the Super Bowl LII cross-zoo WILD challenge bet.
• Oakland Zooanimal-placement partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerRescued, rehabilitated and 'head-started' orphaned cougar cubs Maple and Willow before transferring them to Stone Zoo (arrived July 2024).
• California Department of Fish and Wildlifeanimal-rescue partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerRescued orphaned cougar cubs Maple and Willow near Burlingame, CA (November 2023) and transferred them to Oakland Zoo for head-starting.
• Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts Universityveterinary partnerImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvided specialized care for a Masai giraffe calf born at Franklin Park Zoo (August 2025).
• CityPASS (Boston)bundle-distribution partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBoston CityPASS bundle includes Franklin Park Zoo (not Stone Zoo); ticket holders present mobile QR code at admissions. Bundle saves up to 45% across four Boston attractions.
• MBTA (Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority)transit-access partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerMBTA Orange / Red Lines and bus routes 16, 22, 28, 29 and 45 serve Franklin Park Zoo; detailed transit directions published on the zoo website.
• Blue Bikes (metro-Boston bike share)last-mile transit partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerOn-site Blue Bike station at Franklin Park Zoo for public bike-share access.
• ID.meverification vendorTechnology or IntegrationIdentity-verification vendor integrated into online ticket purchase flow to confirm EBT and active-military eligibility for discount admission.
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS)campaign partnerStrategic or Co-development PartnerWCS and Zoo/Aquarium Partners launched the #FramingOurFuture campaign to support nature-based solutions to climate change; Zoo New England joined (5 November 2021).
• Stoneham Fordlocal marketing partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerStone Zoo and Stoneham Ford teamed up to raise $6,000 (April 2018).
• Faneuil Hall Marketplace / artists Gillie and Marcpublic-art campaign partnerGTM or Marketing PartnerCo-hosted the 'Wild Benches of Hope' public-art exhibition (opened late December 2025, runs one year) featuring three bronze benches (Masai giraffe, African elephant, hippo) at Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston.

Scale indicators12 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society): Largest US metropolitan zoo with global field-conservation programs; comparable mission and conservation partnership network (WCS), but materially larger scale and a wider portfolio of parks.
• Smithsonian's National Zoo: AZA-accredited national zoo with extensive conservation and Species Survival Plan footprint; serves as a federal-sector benchmark for habitat programs and AZA SAFE work that Zoo New England participates in.

Direct peers

• Connecticut's Beardsley Zoo: Bridgeport, CT-based AZA-accredited zoo with comparable mid-size scale and New England regional focus; cross-promotional partner via Super Bowl LII wager.
• Oakland Zoo: AZA-accredited California zoo with comparable conservation-program breadth; active animal-placement partner with Zoo New England for orphaned cougar cubs Maple and Willow (July 2024).
• Lehigh Valley Zoo: Schnecksville, PA-based AZA-accredited regional zoo; counterpart in the same Super Bowl LII cross-zoo wager with Zoo New England.
• Elmwood Park Zoo: Norristown, PA-based AZA-accredited zoo of similar regional scale; Super Bowl LII counterpart in the cross-zoo WILD challenge bet.
• New England Aquarium: Boston-based AZA-accredited aquarium with overlapping New England conservation mission and explicit anti-trafficking partnership with Zoo New England (announced March 5, 2020); comparable non-profit, education-driven operating model.
• Philadelphia Zoo: America's first zoo and a comparable AZA-accredited urban zoological park with similar dual-revenue mix (admissions, memberships, events, conservation). Directly engaged Zoo New England via Super Bowl LII cross-zoo bet, evidencing same peer tier.
• Roger Williams Park Zoo: Providence, RI-based AZA-accredited zoo of similar scale and New England regional footprint; Super Bowl LII co-bettor with Zoo New England against Philadelphia-area zoos.

Regional players

• Buttonwood Park Zoo: New Bedford, MA-based AZA-accredited zoo serving the same South Coast Massachusetts region as Zoo New England; comparable smaller-scale, membership-and-events-driven operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/zoonewengland
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/znevideos
• Facebookfacebook.com/franklinparkzoo
• Instagraminstagram.com/zoonewengland
• TikToktiktok.com/@franklinparkzoo

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Zoo New England