Saint Louis Zoo
The Saint Louis Zoo is a non-profit, AZA-accredited zoological institution in St. Louis, Missouri, operating as one of only three free U.S. zoos and serving 2.7 million annual visitors through physical attractions, tours, memberships, retail, and conservation science, with a 425-acre WildCare Park expansion slated for 2027.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1920
- HeadquartersSt Louis, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Saint Louis Zoo does
The Saint Louis Zoo is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, AZA-accredited zoological institution located in Forest Park, St. Louis, Missouri, operating as one of only three free zoos in the United States. It serves approximately 2.7 million annual visitors — 80% from the Missouri-Illinois bi-state region plus nearly 1 million tourists — across six themed zones (Discovery Corner, The Wild, River's Edge, Red Rocks, Historic Hill, Lakeside Crossing) housing a 90+ year accumulated animal collection. Revenue is generated through a diversified mix of paid attractions (parking, Adventure Pass bundling, 21 distinct Behind-the-Scenes Tours priced $40-$175), 50,000+ member households, a 3,000 sq ft Safari Gift Shop plus a global eStore, event hosting, corporate partnerships (Marlin Perkins Society), and donations/grants.
Beyond visitor experiences, the Zoo operates significant scientific infrastructure: a reproductive sciences program featuring cryopreservation and the first-ever vitrification of wild species gametes, the AZA Reproductive Management Center, a contraception database exceeding 50,000 records, and behavioral science research using ZooMonitor and Noldus Observer XT software. It is a partner in the Mexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program with USFWS and collaborates with the Infertility Center of Saint Louis and Washington University's Living Earth Collaborative.
The Zoo is mid-execution on its largest expansion: WildCare Park, a 425-acre safari park and conservation center in Spanish Lake (North St. Louis County) scheduled to open in 2027. Distribution channels include physical grounds, e-commerce (estore.stlzoo.org), a 200,000+ email subscriber newsletter, and aggregated social media following exceeding 900,000 across Facebook, Instagram, X, TikTok, YouTube, and Threads. Recent leadership additions include Kirby Meyer as Chief Experience Officer (March 2026).
Saint Louis Zoo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Saint Louis Zoo
- Legal name
- Saint Louis Zoo
- Website
- https://stlzoo.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1920
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- The Saint Louis Zoo is a non-profit, AZA-accredited zoological institution in St. Louis, Missouri, operating as one of only three free U.S. zoos and serving 2.7 million annual visitors through physical attractions, tours, memberships, retail, and conservation science, with a 425-acre WildCare Park expansion slated for 2027.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Saint Louis Zoo industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Zoological Park and Wildlife Conservation
- NAICS
- Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Safari Parks & Drive-Through Wildlife Parks (THAAAFAD)
Keywords
Where Saint Louis Zoo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- St Louis
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Saint Louis Zoo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Memberships: Over 50,000 member households pay annual dues for benefits including free parking, discounts, and exclusive access.
- Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Annual corporate donors and cause-related marketing partnerships with companies seeking visibility at the zoo.
- Parking Fees: Vehicle parking fees generate significant revenue from 2.7 million annual visitors.
- Behind-the-Scenes Tours: Premium guided experiences ranging from $40-$175 per person for exclusive animal encounters.
- Retail (Gift Shops and eStore): Physical Safari Gift Shop (3,000 sq ft) and online eStore selling merchandise, adoptions, and zoo products.
- Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the zoo relies on charitable contributions from individuals and foundations.
- Event Hosting: Venue rentals for events including Night at the Zoo, corporate events, and private functions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Adventure Pass (Online) - Best Value |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Part-time Employee Wages |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Behind-the-Scenes Tours - Price Range |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Saint Louis Zoo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Saint Louis Zoo is a non-profit zoological institution that provides free general admission to its animal exhibits across six themed zones, supported by revenue from paid attractions, premium guided tours, annual memberships, retail, dining, parking, corporate sponsorships, and event hosting. The Zoo combines public wildlife education, conservation science (including the WildCare Institute and AZA Reproductive Management Center), and breeding programs for endangered species such as Mexican gray wolves, with a comprehensive Education Programs portfolio for schools, families, and individuals.
Product overview
The Saint Louis Zoo is a non-profit institution and one of only three free zoos in the United States, serving approximately 2.7 million annual guests. The Zoo's product portfolio centers on visitor experiences and conservation education, combining physical attractions with digital services. Core offerings include the Adventure Pass (bundled attraction access), Behind-the-Scenes Tours (21 distinct animal and facility experiences ranging from $40 to $175 per person), and annual Membership programs. Supporting retail operations include the Safari Gift Shop and eStore e-commerce platform. Major developments include WildCare Park (scheduled 2027 opening) and seasonal attractions like Dinoroarus. Digital services encompass Live Animal Webcams and a Virtual Reality Experience attraction. The Zoo also operates comprehensive Education Programs for schools, families, and individuals, including internships and volunteer opportunities.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Adventure Pass A bundled ticket option offering discounted admission to multiple Zoo attractions including Zooline Railroad, Conservation Carousel, and other experiences. Adult online price starts at approximately $34 with savings versus in-person pricing; valid for the 2026 season from March 1 through November 30.
- Behind-the-Scenes Tours A collection of premium guided tours offering exclusive access to animal areas and behind-the-scenes experiences. Includes 21 distinct tours such as Animal Nutrition Center, Chirping Cheetahs, Elephant Excursion ($125), Gentle Giants, Grizzly Bear, Orangutan Hang, Penguin Encounter ($115), Planet Protectors, Reptile Rendezvous, Rhino Ramble, Sea Lion Encounter, Tour de Tortoise, Train-rific Tour, Vet Hospital Tour, Wade with the Rays ($175), Birds of a Feather, Ears Paws and Claws, Gorilla Trek ($100), Hippo Howdy, Pollinator Pals, Primate Perspective, and Sloth Slowdown. Prices range from $40 to $175 per person.
- Safari Gift Shop A 3,000 square foot physical retail gift shop at the Zoo's south entrance offering Zoo-themed products including toys, apparel, souvenirs, and sundries, open daily year-round. Proceeds support the Zoo's conservation mission.
- eStore Online retail platform for purchasing Zoo merchandise, event tickets, tours, and adventure passes. Accessible globally online.
- Membership Program Annual membership program with multiple tiers offering benefits including free parking, discounts on food and retail, and special event access. Over 50,000 member households support the Zoo annually through recurring membership dues.
- Zooline Railroad A historic train attraction offering rides around the Zoo grounds; behind-the-scenes Train-rific Tour includes access to the train shed and engine viewing.
- Conservation Carousel A carousel attraction located in The Wild zone of the Zoo, available to visitors and included with select pass products.
- Dinoroarus A dinosaur-themed seasonal attraction featuring animatronic dinosaurs in the Historic Hill zone, returning for a limited time each year.
- Virtual Reality Experience A motion-platform virtual reality experience featuring live-action and animated educational content; minimum height requirement of 40 inches applies.
- WildCare Park A world-class safari park and conservation center under development on 425 acres in Spanish Lake (North St. Louis County) near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, scheduled to open in 2027. Will offer wildlife experiences and house a conservation center for endangered species.
- Live Animal Webcams Live streaming video feeds featuring various Zoo animals, allowing remote engagement with Zoo animals via the website.
- Education Programs Comprehensive educational offerings including camps, classroom programs, field trips, preschool programs, and Zoo docent-led tours serving schools and organizations from preschool through college.
Companies that use Saint Louis Zoo
Customer profileNamed customers1 record
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Saint Louis Zoo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Saint Louis Zoo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- St. Louis Children's HospitalcoreSt. Louis Children's Hospital sponsors the Zoo's First Aid Station, located next to the Conservation Carousel in The Wild. The station also offers a family restroom and lactation room, demonstrating community health partnership.
- Metro (St. Louis Metro Transit)minorPublic transit partnership allowing visitors to ride MetroLink to Forest Park/DeBaliviere station and connect via MetroBus route #90 Hampton to the Zoo's North Entrance.
- Marlin Perkins Society Corporate PartnerscoreAnnual corporate donors program offering exclusive opportunities including volunteering, event access, Zoo discounts, and name recognition. Supports the Zoo's mission while enhancing corporate visibility.
- Infertility Center of Saint LouiscoreCollaborative partnership in reproductive science enabling the Zoo to apply vitrification techniques to wild species, becoming the first to do so for endangered Mexican wolves.
- U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS)coreMexican Gray Wolf Recovery Program partnership under which the Zoo maintains a frozen semen bank for conservation of this endangered species.
- Washington University in St. LouisminorCollaboration through the Living Earth Collaborative (LEC) to offer paid summer internships to Washington University undergraduates in the Zoo's research departments.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Saint Louis Zoo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Philadelphia Zoo: America's first zoo and AZA-accredited. Comparable as an urban legacy zoo with similar exhibit types, membership programs, education offerings, and conservation mission.
- Brookfield Zoo (Chicago Zoological Society): AZA-accredited zoo near Chicago serving Illinois residents who also represent a significant portion of Saint Louis Zoo visitors. Comparable in size, exhibit offerings, conservation programming, and family attraction positioning.
- Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance: AZA-accredited zoo with strong conservation and research programs. Comparable in scale, family attraction positioning, and educational programming for the Mountain/Midwest visitor base.
- Smithsonian's National Zoo: Free, AZA-accredited urban zoo in Washington D.C. that operates as a direct peer with a similar free admission model, conservation focus, educational programming, and large visitor base (~2M annually).
- Bronx Zoo: One of the largest AZA-accredited zoos in the U.S. operated by WCS. Comparable in scale, conservation science, and educational offerings; differs by paid admission but shares membership program structure and conservation mission.
- Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: AZA-accredited Midwestern zoo with strong conservation, education, and family programming. Comparable in regional family attraction positioning, annual attendance scale (~1.5-2M), and membership-based business model.
Broad incumbents
- Disney's Animal Kingdom: Massive theme park with animal exhibits operated by Disney. While a paid theme park rather than a traditional zoo, it competes for family entertainment spend and offers safari-like experiences, conservation messaging, and themed attractions on a much larger scale.
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: One of the most prominent AZA-accredited zoo organizations globally. While more specialized in safari park operations (San Diego Zoo Safari Park), comparable in conservation research leadership, cryopreservation programs, and membership scale.
Regional players
- Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium: AZA-accredited zoo in Omaha, Nebraska consistently ranked among top U.S. zoos. Comparable in exhibit scale, conservation science, and large-attraction positioning, though more regionally distant than direct St. Louis competitors.
- Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium: AZA-accredited zoo in Kansas City, Missouri. Operates in the same Midwest region and competes for similar Missouri/Kansas family visitors, with comparable exhibits, education programs, and membership offerings.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Saint Louis Zoo social profiles
Digital presenceSaint Louis Zoo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Saint Louis Zoo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Saint Louis Zoo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Saint Louis Zoo M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Saint Louis Zoo
What does Saint Louis Zoo do?
The Saint Louis Zoo is a non-profit zoological institution that provides free general admission to its animal exhibits across six themed zones, supported by revenue from paid attractions, premium guided tours, annual memberships, retail, dining, parking, corporate sponsorships, and event hosting. The Zoo combines public wildlife education, conservation science (including the WildCare Institute and AZA Reproductive Management Center), and breeding programs for endangered species such as Mexican gray wolves, with a comprehensive Education Programs portfolio for schools, families, and individuals.
Is Saint Louis Zoo a public or private company?
Saint Louis Zoo is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Saint Louis Zoo founded?
Saint Louis Zoo was founded in 1920. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is Saint Louis Zoo based?
Saint Louis Zoo is headquartered in St Louis, United States, in the North America region.
How does Saint Louis Zoo make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Memberships are the primary driver. The others are corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships, parking Fees, behind-the-Scenes Tours, retail (Gift Shops and eStore), donations and Grants and event Hosting.
Who are Saint Louis Zoo's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Philadelphia Zoo, Brookfield Zoo (Chicago Zoological Society), Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, Smithsonian's National Zoo, Bronx Zoo and Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden. Broad incumbents are Disney's Animal Kingdom and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Regional players are Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium and Kansas City Zoo & Aquarium.
Does Saint Louis Zoo have an API?
No public API is recorded for Saint Louis Zoo.
What industry is Saint Louis Zoo in?
Saint Louis Zoo's product category is Zoological Park and Wildlife Conservation. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJADAL, Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections), with a secondary code of THAAAFAD, Safari Parks & Drive-Through Wildlife Parks. Its NAICS code is 712130 and its SIC code is 7900.