Oregon Zoo

What Oregon Zoo does

The Oregon Zoo is a 64-acre AZA-accredited zoological park located in Washington Park, Portland, Oregon, founded in 1888 and operated by Metro, greater Portland's regional government. The zoo houses 165 species and subspecies, including over 20 endangered or threatened species, and serves approximately 1.5 million visitors annually. Core offerings span general admission (timed-entry tickets), recurring memberships, premium Giving Circle tiers ($800-$10,000), educational field trips at $12 per participant, a gift shop, food service operated by Levy Restaurants, and private event hosting. Signature seasonal events include ZooLights, ZooNights, ZooBrew, and Wine for Wildlife.

The zoo operates a welfare science and conservation research program that uses non-invasive hormone tracking, behavioral monitoring tools (Welfare Trak, Zoo Monitor), and an in-house endocrine and behavior lab, supplemented by a joint graduate program with Portland State University. Conservation breeding and head-start programs have released 118 California condors since 2003, 35,162 Oregon silverspot butterflies since 1998, 850 northwestern pond turtles since 1998, and other species through partnerships with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Tribal Partners, and the National Park Service. Sustainability infrastructure includes LEED Gold-certified facilities and a geothermal climate system.

Revenue is generated through a diversified mix: one-time admissions, recurring memberships and Giving Circle subscriptions ($800-$10,000), corporate sponsorships and event marketing (Columbia Sportswear, Safeway/Albertsons, Wine By Joe, Keeper Coffee), food and retail concessions, private venue rentals, education program fees, and philanthropic donations channeled through the Oregon Zoo Foundation — a 501(c)(3) nonprofit established in 1997 that has raised over $100 million. Capital investment comes through voter-approved general obligation bonds ($125M in 2008, $380M in 2024), and a new specialty license plate launched November 2025 will add a recurring donation stream.

Name

Oregon Zoo

Legal name

Oregon Zoo

Website

https://oregonzoo.org

Company type

Public

Founded year

1888

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

The Oregon Zoo is a 64-acre AZA-accredited zoological park in Portland, Oregon, operated by Metro regional government, housing 165 species and serving 1.5 million annual visitors through admissions, memberships, education programs, conservation breeding, and seasonal events supported by the Oregon Zoo Foundation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoological Park and Wildlife Conservation Services

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Educational Services (8200), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Wildlife Sanctuaries & Rescue Centers (Visitor Operations) (THAAAFAA)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation programs
• Zoo admissions membership
• Animal welfare science
• Environmental education programs
• Conservation breeding programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Portland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Admission and Ticket Sales: Visitors purchase timed entry tickets online in advance. General admission fees apply for non-members. Revenue from approximately 1.5 million annual visitors.
2. Memberships: Annual membership programs at various Giving Circle levels ($800-$10,000) providing year-round daytime admission, discounts, and exclusive benefits.
3. Corporate Sponsorships and Event Marketing: Event sponsorships (ZooBrew, ZooNights, Zootoberfest, BrewLights, ZooLights) and annual sponsorships providing brand visibility across zoo platforms.
4. Corporate Partnerships - Philanthropic: Business Giving Circle, cause-related marketing partnerships with companies like Columbia Sportswear, Safeway/Albertsons, Portland Syrups, Wine By Joe, Patchmarks, and Keeper Coffee where companies donate portions of sales.
5. Food and Retail: Food service operated by partner Levy Restaurants, gift shop offering merchandise, plushy animals, books, and sustainable/fair trade gifts. Wheelchair and stroller rentals also available.
6. Donations and Fundraising: Donations to Oregon Zoo Foundation supporting animal well-being, species recovery, and conservation education. Monthly giving, planned giving, Wildlife Legacy Society, fundraisers, and Oregon Zoo license plate sales ($40 surcharge) generate additional contributions. Foundation has raised $100+ million since 1997.
7. Education Programs: Field trip programs at $12 per person for school groups, summer camps through OMSI partnership, and keeper talks/educational programming.
8. Private Events: Hosting private events at the zoo for corporate and personal occasions.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The Oregon Zoo is a 64-acre AZA-accredited zoological park in Portland's Washington Park that sells timed-entry admissions, tiered annual memberships, and seasonal signature events (ZooLights, ZooNights, ZooBrew, Wine for Wildlife). It also offers paid educational programming including school field trips ($12/person) and summer camps (in partnership with OMSI), private venue rentals, on-site food service (operated by Levy Restaurants), retail through an on-site and online gift shop, and animal encounter experiences. The zoo is supported by the Oregon Zoo Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that drives philanthropy through Giving Circle memberships, planned giving, license plate surcharges, and cause-related corporate marketing.

Product overview

Oregon Zoo is a 64-acre zoological park located in Portland's Washington Park, offering a unified visitor experience that combines wildlife conservation, education, and entertainment. The zoo's core product is general admission access, supplemented by paid experiences including the zoo train and carousel rides, animal encounters, and private event hosting. The Oregon Zoo Foundation manages philanthropy and membership programs, while the zoo itself operates educational initiatives such as field trips, summer camps, and volunteer programs. Special events like ZooLights, ZooNights, ZooBrew, and Wine for Wildlife drive seasonal attendance. Conservation efforts focus on protecting endangered Pacific Northwest species, supported by the foundation's fundraising through license plates, corporate partnerships, and donor programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Admission Tickets Timed-entry access to the Oregon Zoo grounds, enabling visitors to explore habitats housing 165 species and subspecies across the 64-acre facility. Available online for advance purchase.
• Zoo Membership Annual membership offering unlimited daytime admission, discounts on rides and retail purchases, and reciprocal benefits at over 150 AZA-accredited zoos nationwide.
• Giving Circle Membership Premium donor membership with five annual giving levels ($800 Wildlife Friend, $1,500 Advocate, $2,500 Protector, $5,000 Defender, $10,000 Champion) offering exclusive benefits including private guided tours, animal encounters, exclusive member-only events, ZooLights tickets, and expanded guest admission privileges.
• Zoo Train Scenic narrow-gauge railway offering a narrated tour through zoo grounds, providing accessible transportation with wheelchair accommodation for visitors.
• Zoo Carousel Classic carousel featuring hand-carved wooden animals, providing family-friendly entertainment accessible to wheelchair users.
• School Field Trips Self-guided educational visits for accredited public or private schools, preschools through 12th grade, state-registered daycares, colleges/universities, and ESD-registered homeschool groups from Oregon or Washington. Pricing is $12 per person with a minimum group size of 16 and 50% discount for Title 1 schools.
• Summer Camps Seasonal day camp programs for children operated in partnership with the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI), providing wildlife-themed summer programming at the zoo facility.
• Private Events Venue rental service allowing organizations and individuals to book zoo facilities for weddings, corporate gatherings, team-building activities, and private celebrations, with catering managed by Levy Restaurants.
• Gift Shop and Equipment Rentals On-site and online retail store offering animal-themed apparel, plush toys, books, and fair trade gifts, plus equipment rentals including wheelchairs ($10), ECV scooters ($25), single strollers ($10), and double strollers ($13).
• Gift Cards Digital eGift cards and physical gift cards available in any amount, redeemable for membership, general admission, rides, and special events. Physical cards include a $10 USPS priority shipping fee. Cards are non-refundable, do not expire, and cannot be used at retail or food outlets.
• ZooLights Signature winter holiday event featuring millions of sparkling lights and festive displays across the zoo, running from late November through early January.
• ZooNights Summer Friday evening concert series featuring live music, food carts, keeper chats, and activities for all ages from June through August.
• ZooBrew Adults-only after-hours event featuring tastings from local breweries and cideries in a unique animal-filled setting.
• Zootoberfest Fall celebration with seasonal beer, cider, and festive activities in a unique zoo setting.
• BrewLights Winter event combining craft beer tastings with holiday light displays.
• Wine for Wildlife Adult tasting event featuring wine paired with animal experiences over two evenings in August.
• Wild Wednesdays Adults-only evening event on Wednesday nights in July offering after-hours zoo access without daytime crowds.
• Animal Encounters Up-close premium experiences with zoo animals led by keepers, offering interactions with species such as pythons, tarantulas, and hawks.
• Conservation Programs Species recovery initiatives including California condor breeding, Oregon silverspot butterfly cultivation, northwestern pond turtle head-starting, northern leopard frog reintroduction, and Pacific lamprey restoration, in partnership with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission, and National Park Service.
• Cascades Pika Watch Volunteer-based citizen science initiative engaging volunteers in locating and mapping American pika populations across Oregon to track climate change impacts.
• Lead-Free Hunting Education Program Outreach program encouraging hunters to use non-lead ammunition to reduce lead poisoning in scavenging wildlife species such as eagles and condors.
• Welfare Science Program Animal welfare assessment program monitoring behavior, body condition, and hormone levels using non-invasive techniques including Welfare Trak and Zoo Monitor tools, supported by an on-site endocrine and behavior lab.
• Wildlife Legacy Society Planned giving program that recognizes donors who have named the Oregon Zoo Foundation as a beneficiary of an estate or planned gift.
• Cause-Related Marketing Program Partnership program where companies donate a portion of sales to the Oregon Zoo Foundation, with current partners including Columbia Sportswear, Safeway/Albertsons, Portland Syrups, Wine By Joe, Patchmarks, and Keeper Coffee.
• Oregon Zoo License Plate Specialty Oregon vehicle license plate featuring an Asian elephant and Portland roses. Includes a $40 surcharge at initial order and each registration renewal, with approximately $35 going to the Oregon Zoo Foundation.
• Sensory Kit Program Free sensory bags containing noise-canceling headphones, sunglasses, fidget tools, and weighted lap pads, available for checkout at the zoo entrance to support visitors with sensory sensitivities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 118 California condors released to the wild since 2003
• +9 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

28 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025In 2025, partnered to support Pacific lamprey recovery. Lamprey from Willamette Falls are overwintered, genetically identified, and released above migration barriers to restore this culturally significant species.
• National Park ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025In 2025, launched conservation breeding program for Mazama newt found only in Crater Lake National Park to develop assurance populations and produce young for future release.
• Washington Department of Fish and WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2018Since 2018, raised northern leopard frogs collected as egg masses for release into protected wetlands to boost survival and restore populations impacted by habitat loss.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2003Since 2003, partnered to breed and raise California condors for release into the wild. Zoo-hatched birds help strengthen the growing population and improve survival rates for North America's largest flying bird.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1998Since 1998, partnered to raise Oregon silverspot butterflies for release along Oregon's coast to strengthen wild populations and support habitat restoration.
• Washington Department of Fish and WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1998Since 1998, partnered to head-start northwestern pond turtles by raising hatchlings in human care before release to improve survival during vulnerable early life stages.
• Polar Bears InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner focused on polar bear conservation. The Oregon Zoo features polar bears (Amelia Gray, Nora, Tasul, Conrad) and participates in polar bear conservation awareness efforts including climate change education.
• HutancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner, likely focused on orangutan or forest conservation based on context of other elephant and primate conservation partners.
• Elakha AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner focused on sea otter conservation in the Pacific Northwest. The Oregon Zoo cares for sea otters Lincoln, Juno, and Eddie.
• Niassa Carnivore ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner focused on lion and carnivore conservation in Mozambique's Niassa National Reserve.
• Rhino FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner focused on rhinoceros protection and anti-poaching efforts.
• Somali Giraffe ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner focused on Somali giraffe conservation in East Africa.
• KGW8minorGTM or Marketing PartnerSignature media partner - local NBC affiliate in Portland providing broadcast coverage and promotional visibility for the zoo.
• Oregonian Media GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor providing media coverage and promotional support for the Oregon Zoo.
• Columbia SportswearminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCause marketing partner - during November, Columbia Sportswear employee store shoppers can support Oregon Zoo Foundation with 10% donation from purchases.
• Safeway | AlbertsonsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCause marketing partner selling limited edition Oregon Zoo animal-themed reusable grocery bags in stores.
• Portland SyrupsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCause marketing partner - Portland Syrups Endangered Elephant 3-Pack with 40% of proceeds supporting Oregon Zoo elephant conservation; 10% of all purchases donated to Foundation.
• Wine By JoeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCause marketing partner - special wine bundle with Safeway/Albertsons featuring exclusive Pinot Noir bottles with watercolor labels by animal keeper Megan Hagedorn.
• PatchmarksminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCause marketing partner - limited edition Tula-Tu elephant iron-on patches with $2 of each purchase supporting Oregon Zoo Foundation.
• Keeper CoffeeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCause marketing partner - special Zoo Keeper Coffee with 10% of proceeds donated to Foundation; some bags include Golden Tickets for complimentary zoo tickets.
• Levy RestaurantscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFood service and catering partner managing all food operations at the zoo including Cascade Café, Tiger Café, and special event catering. Also manages private event hosting.
• Oregon Museum of Science and Industry (OMSI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to offer wildlife wonderland as venue for seasonal camp programs. OMSI runs summer camps and day camps at the zoo facility.
• Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Oregon Zoo is an RSPO member believing it is the best existing pathway to transforming the palm oil industry. Partners work to improve RSPO processes and advocate for certified sustainable palm oil.
• Tribal PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe zoo works alongside Tribal partners to advance recovery through conservation breeding, head-starting and species reintroductions while addressing threats driving species decline.
• State and Federal Agency PartnerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe zoo works alongside state and federal agency partners to advance recovery through conservation breeding, head-starting and species reintroductions.
• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch collaboration on polar bear energetics study - trained polar bear Tasul to wear accelerometer collar to study energy usage. Also collaborated on polar bear diet study and condor satellite tracking.
• Oregon Wildlife Institute (OWI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrained conservation detector dogs to recognize odor of western pond turtles and their nests for canine-assisted nest searches using water samples from the zoo.
• Population and Conservation Genetics GroupminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on Borneo elephant genetics study using blood samples from Chendra to study impact of fragmentation on genetic diversity and social structure.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Smithsonian's National Zoo: Federally operated zoo in Washington, D.C., part of the Smithsonian Institution. Comparable in AZA-accredited operations, conservation science leadership, and welfare research capabilities, though funded through federal appropriations rather than municipal bonds and donations.
• Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society): One of the largest metropolitan zoos in the U.S., operated by Wildlife Conservation Society. Comparable in AZA accreditation, conservation science leadership, and educational programming at significantly larger scale with global field conservation programs.

Regional players

• Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium: AZA-accredited combined zoo and aquarium in Tacoma, Washington, operated by Metro Parks Tacoma. Closely comparable as another Pacific Northwest regional zoo with conservation focus and public/nonprofit governance structure similar to Oregon Zoo.
• Woodland Park Zoo: AZA-accredited zoo in Seattle, Washington, serving the Pacific Northwest market. Direct regional peer with similar AZA-accredited operations, conservation programs, membership tiers, and educational offerings, though smaller in scale than Oregon Zoo.

Direct peers

• Philadelphia Zoo: America's first zoo, AZA-accredited, located in Philadelphia. Comparable in scale, AZA-accredited operations, membership tiers, conservation programs, and nonprofit governance - and notably a former employer of Oregon Zoo's current Deputy Director of Operations.
• San Diego Zoo: Largest zoological organization in North America, operating the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Directly comparable as an AZA-accredited zoological park offering admissions, memberships, conservation breeding programs, and educational programming, though at significantly larger scale.
• Houston Zoo: Major AZA-accredited zoo operated by the City of Houston through a nonprofit management agreement. Directly comparable in scale (~2M annual visitors), AZA-accredited conservation programs, public-private operating model, and large membership base.
• Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: AZA-accredited zoo and botanical garden in Cincinnati. Directly comparable in AZA-accredited operations, conservation breeding programs (including Species Survival Plan involvement), membership tiers, and educational programming at similar visitor scale.
• Saint Louis Zoo: AZA-accredited zoo operated by the Metropolitan Zoological Park and Museum District. Directly comparable as a municipally-supported, admission-free (or low-cost) zoological park with extensive conservation research programs and large membership base.
• Denver Zoo: AZA-accredited zoo operated as a nonprofit with municipal support in Denver, Colorado. Comparable in operating model (private nonprofit managing municipal zoo), AZA-accredited conservation programs, membership structure, and educational programming at similar scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/oregonzoo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/oregonzoo
• Facebookfacebook.com/oregonzoo
• Instagraminstagram.com/oregonzoo
• TikToktiktok.com/@oregonzoo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/oregon-zoo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles17 records

Subsidiaries2 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 Oregon Zoo