Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden

What Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden does

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, established in 1902 and operating as a public trust of the State of Oklahoma (the Oklahoma City Zoological Trust), is a 130+ acre accredited zoological and botanical institution in Oklahoma City. It houses 500+ animal species and 5,500+ plant species across 8+ habitat areas including Expedition Africa, Sanctuary Asia, Cat Forest, Great Escape, and the Herpetarium, plus a 160-acre botanical garden, multiple dining outlets, a Safari Gift Shop, the ZooZeum history museum, and the Baobab Lodge overnight accommodation. Its core technology stack combines visitor-facing tools (iOS/Android mobile app, interactive map at map.okczoo.org, ACETicketing, cashless payments) with proprietary veterinary capabilities including an in-house EEHV (elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus) DNA monitoring program and stem cell treatments derived from saved umbilical cord tissue. The business model is a multi-stream non-profit: per-visit admission, ZOOfriends annual memberships (subscription), separately ticketed special events (ZOObrew, Safari Lights, Dinosaur Expedition), Wild Encounters add-on experiences, food and beverage, retail, donations and sponsorships, a specialty license plate, and an OKC Zoo Poo compost product line. Customers are individual visitors and families, school groups, corporate sponsors, and conservation partners across Oklahoma, the South Central U.S., and visiting tourists.

Name

Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden

Legal name

Oklahoma City Zoological Trust

Website

https://okczoo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1902

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is a 130+ acre AZA-accredited non-profit zoological and botanical institution in Oklahoma City, serving families, school groups, and tourists with animal habitats, conservation programs, educational experiences, and ticketed events since 1902.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoological Park & Botanical Garden

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Parks, Gardens & Botanical Attractions (THAJACAH)

Keywords

• Zoological park services
• Wildlife conservation programs
• Botanical garden exhibits
• Educational field trips
• Special event experiences

Headquarters

HQ city

Oklahoma City

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Admission Tickets: The Zoo charges per-visit admission fees. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. Admission includes access to all outdoor habitats and exhibits.
2. Membership (ZOOfriends): The Zoo sells annual memberships (ZOOfriends) offering unlimited admission, early hours, member events, and discounts. These provide recurring subscription revenue.
3. Special Events: Ticketed adult events like ZOObrew (21+ craft beverage tasting), Sip & Stroll, Brush with the Wild, Safari Lights, Haunt the Zoo, and Breakfast with the Animals generate event-based revenue.
4. Dinosaur Expedition Tickets: A separate ticketed special exhibit (March–November 2026) priced at $15 general / $12 for members for the full adventure ticket, with single entry and season pass options. Rides cost $6 each or $15 for three.
5. Wild Encounters: Fee-based up-close animal experiences with bears, Galapagos tortoises, Indian rhinos, bison, Komodo dragons, and Asian elephants, sold as add-on priced experiences.
6. Food & Beverage: Multiple dining outlets (Canopy Restaurant, Lotus Café, Scratch Kitchen, Lakeside Taqueria, Safari Café, Savanna Snacks) offer food and beverage for purchase within the Zoo.
7. Retail / Gift Shop: Safari Gift Shop sells merchandise including reusable bottles, apparel, plush animals, and seasonal gift items.
8. Donations & Sponsorships: The Zoo raises funds through direct donations, event sponsorships (e.g., ZOObrew presenting sponsor Byron's Liquor Warehouse), the Round Up for Conservation program, and the OKC Zoo Living Classroom Grant Program.
9. Specialty License Plates: Proceeds from the sale of a specialty Oklahoma license plate featuring a zoo elephant design benefit the Zoo.
10. Baobab Lodge Overnight Stays: Luxury overnight accommodations at Baobab Lodge offer an exclusive stay experience, generating premium event and lodging revenue.
11. OKC Zoo Poo Compost Sales: The Zoo sells its proprietary compost product, OKC Zoo Poo, created in partnership with Minick Materials, to consumers and landscaping companies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden operates a 130+ acre zoological park and botanical garden in Oklahoma City, featuring more than 500 animal species across multiple themed habitats (Expedition Africa, Sanctuary Asia, Cat Forest, Great Escape, Herpetarium, Children's Zoo), 160 acres of managed botanical gardens, and ancillary visitor experiences including the ZooZeum history museum, Baobab Lodge overnight accommodations, the Dinosaur Expedition animatronic exhibit, dining outlets, and a gift shop. The Zoo offers general admission, annual ZOOfriends memberships, ticketed Wild Encounters, special events (ZOObrew, Safari Lights, Breakfast with the Animals, etc.), and educational/school programs, while operating field conservation and Species Survival Plan partnerships globally.

Product overview

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden offers a diverse portfolio of visitor experiences centered around wildlife conservation and education. The core offering includes multiple animal habitats (Expedition Africa, Sanctuary Asia, Cat Forest, Great Escape, Lion Overlook, Herpetarium, Children's Zoo), dining venues (Canopy Restaurant, Lotus Café, Scratch Kitchen, Lakeside Taqueria, Safari Café), special events (Safari Lights, ZOObrew, Breakfast with the Animals), and educational programs. Digital products include a mobile app, interactive map, and online ticketing. Recent additions include Dinosaur Expedition animatronic exhibit and Baobab Lodge luxury accommodation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZOOfriends: The zoo's membership program offering various perks and benefits to members.
• Oklahoma Zoological Society
• OZS Giving
• ZooZeum

Products and services

• Dinosaur Expedition Ticketed special exhibit featuring over 60 animatronic dinosaurs plus skeletons, photo ops, and fossil digs from Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Triassic Periods; includes VR dinosaur experience and dinosaur-themed children's rides.
• ZOObrew
• Wild Encounters Up-close, fee-based animal experiences with bears, Galapagos tortoises, Indian rhinos, bison, Komodo dragons, and Asian elephants.
• Safari Lights Annual holiday light event at the Oklahoma City Zoo, expanded to be bigger and brighter for the holiday season.
• Breakfast with the Animals Family breakfast experience at the zoo that connects guests to animals and the Zoo's conservation efforts.
• ZOOfriends Annual Membership Annual membership program offering unlimited admission, early entry hours, member events, and discounts on dining and experiences.
• ZooZeum On-site zoo history museum (the Patricia and Byron J. Gambulos ZooZeum) featuring galleries of zoological and botanical memories, artifacts, and stories of iconic zoo animals; free with Zoo admission.
• Baobab Lodge Luxury overnight accommodation within the zoo that transports guests to a themed African safari setting.
• Expedition Africa 12-acre themed habitat featuring a state-of-the-art giraffe barn, the renovated Love's Pachyderm Building, and covered pavilions for eye-level animal viewing.
• Sanctuary Asia Themed habitat featuring Asian elephants, Indian rhinos, Komodo dragons, red pandas, and the Lotus Pavilion restaurant.
• Great Escape Three-acre naturalistic habitat for Western lowland gorillas and chimpanzees with rainforest features, waterfalls, and lush plantings.
• Cat Forest Feline habitat with both indoor and outdoor viewing areas showcasing multiple cat species from around the world.
• Herpetarium Historic reptile and amphibian facility with over 65 habitats housing animals that slither, swim, and climb.
• Children's Zoo
• OKC Zoo Poo Compost Proprietary organic compost product created from the Zoo's organic plant and animal waste stream in partnership with Minick Materials; used in the Zoo's botanical gardens and sold to consumers and landscaping companies.
• OKC Zoo Specialty License Plate Specialty Oklahoma license plate featuring an elephant design; a portion of proceeds benefits the Oklahoma City Zoo.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 160,000 visitors during Spring Break March 2026 — a new record.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

22 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Minick MaterialscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe zoo partnered with Oklahoma City-based landscaping company Minick Materials to convert its organic plant and animal waste into a proprietary compost product called OKC Zoo Poo. The zoo supplies the raw organic material, and Minick provides composting expertise. The resulting product is used in the zoo's 160 acres of botanical gardens and sold to consumers.
• BoeingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoeing partnered with the zoo for an employee-led pollinator project, receiving five cubic yards of OKC Zoo Poo compost for use in Boeing's pollinator garden on its southeast Oklahoma City campus.
• Fertile GroundminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOKC Zoo serves as a free drop-off site for food scraps as part of Fertile Ground's home composting program, offering wild perks for participants.
• Painted Dog Research Trust (PDRT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSince 2016, the zoo has partnered with PDRT in Zimbabwe to provide financial support from the Round Up for Conservation Fund and to send staff for annual field work. PDRT is dedicated to conserving the endangered African painted dog (fewer than 7,000 remain in the wild). The zoo has housed African painted dogs since 1972.
• International Otter Survival Fund (IOSF)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe zoo invited IOSF's Ben Yoxon to write a guest blog about otter conservation. The zoo is home to North American river otters Rocky and Pip.
• Bob Moore SubarucoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBob Moore Subaru sponsors the annual Making Tracks program and World Giraffe Day events at the zoo. The partnership provides marketing visibility for Subaru while supporting zoo conservation education programs.
• Oklahoma County Conservation DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe zoo partnered with the Oklahoma County Conservation District for a research study in the zoo's butterfly and pollinator habitat.
• Stephenson Cancer CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe zoo partnered with Stephenson Cancer Center to install five free sunscreen dispensers for visitors through Labor Day 2019.
• Dallas ZoominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe OKC Zoo and Dallas Zoo partnered to use technology to track monarch butterflies during spring migration, tagging 40 monarchs with solar-powered Bluetooth technology.
• Channel Islands Marine & Wildlife Institute (CIMWI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCIMWI rescued an undernourished California sea lion pup (Isla) from Santa Barbara Harbor and coordinated her transfer to OKC Zoo for long-term care.
• University of Oklahoma (Sam Noble Museum)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe zoo partnered with the Sam Noble Museum at the University of Oklahoma for a National Science Foundation-funded study on Texas horned lizards (lizard lab).
• International Rhino FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe zoo partners with the International Rhino Foundation and sends staff on conservation trips to Indonesia to support rhino conservation initiatives in Javan and Sumatran rhino range countries.
• Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe zoo funds GCF's capacity-building projects to protect giraffe populations in Africa, contributing to conservation efforts alongside Snapshot Safari camera trap programs in Zimbabwe.
• Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe zoo supports the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund's mountain gorilla conservation efforts, including providing training to researchers in Rwanda.
• Byron's Liquor WarehousecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerByron's Liquor Warehouse is the presenting sponsor of ZOObrew 2026, Oklahoma's premier adult beverage tasting event at the zoo, which generates significant revenue and awareness.
• Mathis HomecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerMathis Home is the presenting sponsor of Dinosaur Expedition and a limited-time exclusive retailer for discounted ZOOfriends memberships (up to 17% off through March 8, 2026).
• Continental ResourcesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerContinental Resources is an exhibition sponsor of Dinosaur Expedition.
• Love's Travel Stops & Country StoresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLove's Travel Stops & Country Stores is a Jurassic Giant sponsor of Dinosaur Expedition.
• Primrose SchoolsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimrose Schools is a Bronto Buddy sponsor of Dinosaur Expedition and presents the Children's Zoo.
• Mike UraminorGTM or Marketing PartnerMike Ura is a Jurassic Giant sponsor of Dinosaur Expedition.
• Oklahoma State University College of Veterinary MedicineminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFormer zoo junior curator Dr. Josiah Dame received the Dean Clarence H. McElroy Award from OSU College of Veterinary Medicine, the highest honor for an OSU veterinary student, indicating a strong pipeline relationship.
• University of Minnesota Lion CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe zoo supports Snapshot Safari, a camera trap network created by the University of Minnesota's Lion Center, contributing to mammal census data collection in several African countries.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• San Antonio Zoo: AZA-accredited zoo of similar regional scale with comparable ticketing, Wild Encounters-style up-close experiences, and seasonal events; relevant peer for benchmarking adult-event programming such as ZOObrew.
• Kansas City Zoo: Regional peer of similar size and exhibit scope in the central U.S., with comparable membership programs, special events, and educational outreach — directly competing for regional visitor trips and seasonal tourism.
• Dallas Zoo: Major AZA-accredited metropolitan zoo in Dallas, comparable in scale, exhibit mix (Expedition Africa-style habitats), and family/event programming. Already an active partner with OKC Zoo on monarch butterfly tracking, signaling close operational comparability.

Broad incumbents

• Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden: AZA-accredited zoo with both zoo and botanical garden operations — directly analogous to OKC's combined zoo/botanical positioning — and a strong reputation for endangered species breeding and family programming.
• Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance: AZA-accredited urban zoo with similarly broad habitat portfolio, conservation research programs, and seasonal event ticketing (lights events, member previews); comparable audience demographics and gifting/retail operations.
• Houston Zoo: One of the most-visited U.S. zoos with a comparable mix of habitats, conservation partnerships, and membership tiers; provides a relevant benchmark for scaling attendance and member monetization.
• Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium: One of the largest U.S. zoos with comparable species count, indoor/outdoor habitats, and botanical components; offers a meaningful benchmark for premium exhibit quality, conservation funding scale, and event revenue sophistication.
• St. Louis Zoo: Nationally renowned AZA-accredited zoo with strong conservation programming and a major special-event calendar; serves as a benchmark for attendance scale, member engagement, and immersive habitat design.

Regional players

• Sedgwick County Zoo: Wichita-based regional zoo with similar species breadth and family-focused programming, often drawing visitors from the same central U.S. catchment area; serves as a comparable for pricing and seasonal attendance dynamics.

Emerging players

• Fossil Rim Wildlife Center: Texas-based wildlife conservation facility with public visitation and overnight lodging experiences (Glamping); relevant emerging comparable for OKC's Baobab Lodge overnight product and safari-style habitat design.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/okczoo
• Facebookfacebook.com/okczoo

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles20 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden