Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Name

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Legal name

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Website

https://columbuszoo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoo and Aquarium Operations

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130), 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 industries

Wildlife Sanctuaries & Rescue Centers (Visitor Operations) (THAAAFAA), Guided Wildlife Safaris & Game Drives (Sanctuary/Reserve-Based) (THAAAFAF), Marine Wildlife Sanctuaries & Protected Seascape Visitor Operations (Reef/Marine Parks) (THAAAFAJ)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation services
• Zoo aquarium operations
• Educational wildlife programs
• Animal care services
• Conservation research programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Powell

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Admission Tickets: Entry fees for visitors to the zoo, water park (Zoombezi Bay), and golf course (Safari Golf Club). Standard daily admission plus discounted rates for groups and special events.
2. Memberships: Annual membership programs offering unlimited visits, exclusive member events, discounts on food and retail, and other perks. Paid monthly or annually.
3. Food, Retail, and Concessions: On-site dining, gift shops, and retail merchandise throughout the park.
4. Tours and Experiences: Premium behind-the-scenes tours (Zoo Insider, Twilight Tours, Lantern Festival Tours), animal experiences, and animal encounters at additional cost beyond admission.
5. Facility Rentals and Events: Corporate event hosting, birthday parties, school group programs, overnight experiences, community volunteer programs, and venue rentals.
6. Educational Programs: School programs including ZooKids preschool, summer/winter camps, field trips, scout programs, Teen Eco Summit, career talks, and classroom outreach programs with associated fees.
7. Donations and Philanthropy: Donations, planned giving, corporate partnerships, event sponsorships, and the Connecting People and Wildlife campaign ($38 million goal).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a non-profit wildlife conservation organization and recreational destination in Powell, Ohio, home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species. It offers general admission, annual memberships, behind-the-scenes tours, animal encounters, school and youth educational programs, and conservation research, while also operating adjacent properties including Zoombezi Bay (water park), Safari Golf Club (golf course), and The Wilds (10,000-acre conservation center in southeastern Ohio).

Product overview

The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is a wildlife conservation organization and recreational destination operated as part of a multi-park complex. The core offering is the zoo itself, home to over 10,000 animals across 600+ species. The organization operates several related recreational properties including Zoombezi Bay (water park), Safari Golf Club, and The Wilds (safari park). Upcoming expansion includes the John F. Wolfe Aquarium (2029). Educational programming includes Zoo School, Teen Eco Summit, and outreach programs. Premium experiences offered include behind-the-scenes tours, animal encounters, and a mobile app for visitor navigation. The zoo's conservation work includes elephant research, manatee rehabilitation, and field conservation projects globally.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Zoombezi Bay: 22-acre water park adjacent to the zoo
• Safari Golf Club
• The Wilds
• Wolfe Aquarium
• Jack Hanna's Animal Encounters Village
• Adventure Cove
• Teen Eco Summit
• ZooKids
• Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership
• Freshwater Mussel Conservation and Research Center

Products and services

• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Admission General admission to a non-profit wildlife park housing more than 10,000 animals across 600+ species in Powell, Ohio. Open year-round with varying hours; includes access to the Adventure Cove region and Jack Hanna's Animal Encounters Village.
• Zoombezi Bay Water Park A 22-acre water park within the Columbus Zoo complex offering water attractions and family entertainment experiences.
• Safari Golf Club An 18-hole golf course located within the Columbus Zoo complex offering recreational golfing experiences.
• The Wilds Conservation Park A 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park in southeastern Ohio managed by Columbus Zoo, focusing on conservation biology, wildlife research, and open-pasture safari experiences.
• Zoo Annual Membership Annual membership subscription offering unlimited visits, exclusive member-only events, discounts on food and retail, and other perks. Paid monthly or annually.
• Zoo Insider Guided Wildlife Tour 2-hour guided cart tour with expert guides providing exclusive behind-the-scenes access at four featured animal areas. Minimum age 10 years; admission not included; $250 per person.
• Lantern Festival VIP Tour Private VIP golf cart tour during Lantern Festival with tiered cart capacity pricing: up to 4-person cart $299, 6-person cart $399, 10-person cart $599. Available 8pm-9:30pm.
• Twilight VIP Cart Tour Private VIP cart experience after hours with tiered pricing: 4-person cart $275, 6-person cart $375, 10-person cart $575. Wheelchair accessible option available at no additional cost.
• Night Hike Experience Guided walk through the zoo after hours for up to 10 participants at $39 per person. Zoo admission not included.
• Animal Encounter Experiences Interactive animal encounters including giraffe feeding, lorikeet meetings, kangaroo walks, stingray touch experiences, and Keeper Talks. Some encounters included with admission; others at additional cost.
• ZooKids Preschool Program Preschool program for children ages 3-5 held 2 days/week during the school year (September-May). Members: $220/month, non-members: $240/month.
• Zoo School Program Partnership with Delaware Area Career Center offering high school juniors and seniors hands-on zoology, research, and technology experience, with high school science/math/elective credits and college credit opportunities.
• Teen Eco Summit Free student-driven conservation education program hosting 300+ high school students annually to create Conservation Action Plans for sustainability initiatives at their schools and communities.
• Classroom and Assembly Outreach Programs In-person classroom outreach ($300 first program, $200 second same-day same-location) and school assembly outreach ($500 first, $300 second). $300 travel fee outside Franklin County; virtual options $300.
• Wild Wonders School Outreach Program Wild Wonders program at $500 for first program, $300 for second consecutive same-day same-location. World's Wild Wonders variant free for qualifying Franklin County schools (30%+ free/reduced lunch). $300 travel fee outside Franklin County.
• Animal Care Career Talks 45-minute virtual Zoom webinar featuring Animal Care staff sharing career journeys, designed for teens ages 12-18. Includes Q&A and recorded playback. $35 per connection.
• Digital Scavenger Hunt for Field Trips Technology-based scavenger hunt using the Goosechase app for K-12 school and homeschool groups. Interactive challenges covering animal behavior, diet, adaptations, and conservation. $10 per school.
• Facility Rentals and Private Events Corporate event hosting, birthday parties, school group programs, overnight experiences, and venue rentals throughout the zoo campus.
• Personalized Animal Video Messages 30-45 second personalized video messages featuring zoo animal appearances, recorded by animal care team members. Can include specific talking points and names. Starting at $40 with two-week delivery turnaround.
• Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Program Second-stage rehabilitation care for rescued manatees in partnership with SeaWorld and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Has rehabilitated 39 manatees since Manatee Coast opened in 1999, with four additional manatees (Lizzo, Cardi-Tee, Mary Kate, Ashley) received from SeaWorld Orlando in 2022 via DHL transport.
• Food, Retail, and Concessions On-site dining, gift shops, and retail merchandise available throughout the zoo park campus.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 300,000 education program participants annually
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers8 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

19 partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and flagship.

• DHL ExpressminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 January 2022Donated transportation network for manatee rescue and rehabilitation transport. DHL transported rescued manatees from SeaWorld Orlando to Columbus Zoo in custom-built, state-of-the-art containers via their cargo plane.
• AEP OhiocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 October 2021Trim to Treat partnership where AEP Ohio's forestry crew donates tree trimmings and browse to feed zoo animals. Deliveries made twice weekly to Columbus Zoo and monthly to The Wilds, helping reduce zoo's browse sourcing costs.
• Delaware Area Career CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to bring Zoo School program to high school juniors and seniors. Students receive hands-on experience with zoology, research, and technology, earning high school credits in science, math, and electives with opportunity for college credits.
• SeaWorldcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership within Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP). SeaWorld provides critical care at their Orlando facility while Columbus Zoo serves as second-stage rehabilitation for manatees until they can return to Florida waters.
• BattelleflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of the Teen Eco Summit program. Internationally recognized science and innovation center in Central Ohio that funds the event and some student project grants.
• Fifth Third BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor of Teen Eco Summit and sponsor of Keeper Talks presentations at the zoo.
• Cheyenne Mountain ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founders of the giraffe plasma bank. Together with several other collaborating zoos, work to collect giraffe plasma for life-saving transfusions to young giraffes across the country.
• SmithsoniancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with Smithsonian during creation of EEHV DNA testing lab. Collaborates on national EEHV Advisory Group for elephant herpesvirus research and vaccine development.
• Great Ape Heart ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration for great ape cardiac monitoring program. Columbus Zoo implanted cardiac monitors in gorillas, orangutans, and bonobos with assistance from local medical specialists.
• Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden (CREW)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on polar bear artificial insemination procedure with CREW's Lindner Center for Conservation and Research of Endangered Wildlife.
• Polar Bears InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner receiving data on polar bear cub growth and development for maternal den studies. Collaborates on Burr on Fur program with 3M to test prototype tracking devices for wild bears.
• International Rhino FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-year rhinoceros partnership for field conservation projects in India supporting rhino protection through law enforcement, translocations, and community development.
• National Trust for Nature Conservation (Nepal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-year partnership supporting rhino monitoring, veterinary support, and community awareness program in Chitwan National Park, Nepal. Provides technical assistance in wildlife hospital.
• Akagera Management CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThree-year partnership for Eastern black rhino reintroduction effort at Akagera National Park in Rwanda. Provides uniforms and rations for rhino patrol units as part of 30-year conservation work in Rwanda.
• American Institute of Rhinoceros Science (AIRS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Wilds (managed by Columbus Zoo) is a founder of AIRS, focusing on rhino research in human care especially reproduction. Operations based at The Wilds with research coordinator and intern.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerAZA is the accrediting body for the Columbus Zoo. The zoo participates in AZA's Saving Animals from Extinction (SAFE) programs for various species including sharks and manatees.
• Zoombezi BaycoreOthers22-acre water park located within the Columbus Zoo complex, offering water park experiences as part of the zoo visit.
• Safari Golf ClubminorOthers18-hole golf course located within the Columbus Zoo complex.
• The WildsflagshipOthers10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio, managed by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: Closest geographic peer — another large, AZA-accredited Ohio zoo with botanical garden, conservation research (CREW), and similar family-attraction positioning. Directly competes for Central Ohio visitors and donor dollars.
• Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: Another Ohio-based AZA zoo offering family admissions, education programs, and conservation work. Comparable size and regional orientation, with similar revenue mix and education mission.
• Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium: Regional Midwest zoo-aquarium combination with similar education, conservation, and family-attraction focus. Directly comparable as a multi-attraction zoo + aquarium property within driving distance of Columbus.
• St. Louis Zoo: Major AZA-accredited zoo with comparable scale, scientific programs, and education/community-outreach profile. Operates a similar mix of admission, membership, and conservation programming.
• Cheyenne Mountain Zoo: AZA-accredited zoo and co-founder of the giraffe plasma bank with Columbus. Comparable scale, science focus, and family-attraction model; relevant as a research and plasma-collection peer.
• Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium (Omaha): Major U.S. zoo-aquarium with strong science/breeding programs (similar profile to Columbus's EEHV and reproduction work). Comparable in scale and breadth of animal collections.
• Smithsonian's National Zoo: Smithsonian is a direct partner of Columbus on EEHV research, and the National Zoo operates a comparable mix of conservation science, education, and free/paid public access.

Broad incumbents

• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Industry-leading zoo/wildlife alliance with much larger scale, global conservation footprint, and science capabilities. Relevant as the upper-bound incumbent whose model and capabilities Columbus partly emulates.
• Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society): One of the largest U.S. zoos with deep conservation science and global field programs. Comparable in scientific ambition and AZA standing, but operates at significantly larger scale.

Emerging players

• SeaWorld: Partner of Columbus on manatee rescue/rehabilitation and adjacent in the marine-animal attraction space. Operates water-park-adjacent experiences that overlap with Zoombezi Bay's family attraction positioning.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ColumbusZoo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/Columbuszoomedia
• Facebookfacebook.com/columbuszoo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/columbus-zoo
• Instagraminstagram.com/columbuszoo
• TikToktiktok.com/@columbuszooandaquarium

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Subsidiaries4 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 Columbus Zoo and Aquarium