Fort Worth Zoo
Fort Worth Zoo is a nonprofit 64-acre zoological park in Fort Worth, Texas, operated by the Fort Worth Zoological Association, housing 7,000+ animals across 542 species and serving over one million general-public visitors, families, schools, and event clients annually through admissions, memberships, education, and donations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1909
- HeadquartersFort Worth, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Fort Worth Zoo does
Fort Worth Zoo is a nonprofit zoological park operating on a 64-acre campus in Fort Worth, Texas, owned and managed by the Fort Worth Zoological Association, a 501(c)(3) organization, under a public-private partnership with the City of Fort Worth established in 1991. The facility houses nearly 7,000 animals representing more than 500 species across 542 taxonomic entries, including 68 endangered or threatened species on state and federal lists and 112 species in AZA Species Survival Plans. The zoo serves general-public families, K-12 schools, homeschool families, corporate event clients, and repeat visitors, with attendance exceeding 1 million annually since 1991.
The zoo's product offering comprises paid daily admission ($22 adults, $18 children/seniors, with half-price Wednesdays), a multi-tier annual membership program ($40-$100), animal-adoption packages ($40-$175), educational programs including Zoo School preschool and seasonal camps, behind-the-scenes tours, birthday parties and venue rentals, signature annual events (Boo at the Zoo, Zoo Run, Beastro), and on-site retail and dining. Distribution is principally direct-to-consumer through gate sales, online ticketing, and a mobile app supporting digital membership cards. Revenue is diversified across admissions, subscriptions, donations, special events, and concessions; cumulative private capital raised since 1991 exceeds $186 million, of which a $130M A Wilder Vision capital campaign has driven three major habitat expansions from 2018 to 2023.
Operationally, the zoo employs approximately 185 full-time staff, 200-400 seasonal part-time workers, and 75-200 volunteers, supported by more than 75 dedicated animal keepers. It is triple-accredited (AZA, ZAA, American Humane Society) and is the first Texas zoo to earn Certified Autism Center designation. Its R&D-equivalent outputs are concentrated in conservation breeding — most notably the world's most successful lesser flamingo colony (382+ chicks since 2002), consecutive North American-only gharial crocodile hatchlings, and leadership of global turtle and iguana recovery programs through the Turtle Survival Alliance and International Iguana Foundation.
Fort Worth Zoo firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Fort Worth Zoo
- Legal name
- Fort Worth Zoo
- Website
- https://fortworthzoo.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1909
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Fort Worth Zoo is a nonprofit 64-acre zoological park in Fort Worth, Texas, operated by the Fort Worth Zoological Association, housing 7,000+ animals across 542 species and serving over one million general-public visitors, families, schools, and event clients annually through admissions, memberships, education, and donations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Fort Worth Zoo is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Fort Worth
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
Fort Worth Zoo business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Admission Tickets: Daily admission fees charged to visitors for entry to the zoo. Adults (13+) $22, Children (3-12) $18, Seniors (65+) $18, with free admission for toddlers 2 and under. Tickets valid for one visit within 30 days.
- Memberships: Annual membership program with multiple tiers including Adult ($80), Child ($40), Student ($70), Senior ($70), and Guest Pass ($100). Benefits include unlimited admission, free parking, guest discounts, and reciprocal AZA benefits.
- Animal Adoptions: Program allowing visitors to symbolically adopt animals with packages starting at $40 for Penguin Pals, including certificates, photos, plush animals, and fact sheets. Higher tiers include Brunch ($125) and Dinner ($175) with penguins.
- Donations: Charitable donations from visitors and supporters to support zoo operations, conservation efforts, and animal care programs. Includes annual fund, planned giving, and tribute gifts.
- Special Events: Annual fundraising events including Beastro (tasting event with live music, $95 non-members/$85 members), Zoo Run (5K/10K running event), and Boo at the Zoo (Halloween event).
- Retail and Dining: On-site gift shops, online merchandise store, and food/beverage locations throughout the zoo property.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Adult admission for visitors 13 and older |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Child admission for visitors ages 3 to 12 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Senior admission for visitors 65 and older |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Parking fee per vehicle |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual adult membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual child membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual student membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual senior membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Guest pass add-on membership |
| Subscription | Annual | Animal adoption packages |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels6 records
Fort Worth Zoo product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Fort Worth Zoo operates a 64-acre zoological park housing nearly 7,000 animals representing more than 500 species, open 365 days a year for public visitation. Core paid offerings include daily admission tickets, annual memberships, educational programs (Zoo School, camps, field trips), animal adoption packages, behind-the-scenes tours, venue rentals for events, and on-site retail and dining. The zoo also runs membership-only events and signature annual fundraisers (Beastro, Zoo Run, Boo at the Zoo).
Product overview
The Fort Worth Zoo is a 64-acre zoological park offering a diverse portfolio of visitor experiences centered on animal exhibits, conservation education, and family entertainment. The core visitor product includes paid zoo admission with nearly 7,000 animals across 542 species, complemented by annual membership programs providing unlimited access and perks. Ancillary revenue offerings include animal adoption packages, behind-the-scenes tours, birthday party packages, venue rentals for events, and special attractions like Safari Splash and the Junior Train Conductor. Educational programming spans structured camps and preschool programs (Zoo School) for children, plus specialized events including Zoo Run fundraising runs, the Beastro tasting event, and Boo at the Zoo Halloween celebration. The zoo also provides accessibility-focused experiences like Sensory-Friendly Day and Deaf Day, a mobile app with digital membership functionality, and the Texas Nature Traders interactive trading program for children. The institution operates under the Fort Worth Zoological Association as a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization, with revenue supporting animal care, conservation, and education programs.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Zoo Admission Tickets Day passes for zoo access with standard admission for adults ($22), children ages 3-12 ($18), seniors 65+ ($18), and free entry for toddlers 2 and younger. Half-price Wednesdays available; tickets valid for one visit within 30 days of purchase.
- Annual Zoo Membership Annual membership program offering unlimited admission, free parking, guest discounts, reciprocal AZA benefits, and member-exclusive events. Tiers include Adult ($80), Child ($40), Student ($70), Senior ($70), and Guest Pass add-on ($100).
- Animal Adoption Program Symbolic adoptions of zoo animals where supporters receive certificates, photos, plush toys, and fact sheets. Tiers include Penguin Pals ($40), Love Birds ($80), Brunch with Penguins ($125), and Dinner with Penguins ($175), with specialized baby animal and classroom adoption formats.
- Behind-the-Scenes Tours Premium guided experiences that take guests beyond regular zoo areas for exclusive animal encounters and keeper interactions.
- Birthday Party Packages Kids' birthday celebration packages including animal encounters, themed activities, and venue rental at the zoo.
- Zoo Camp Programs Educational seasonal camps including Spring Break Zoo Camp, Summer Zoo Camp, Middle School Zoo Camp, High School Zoo Camp, and Overnight Summer Zoo Camp.
- Zoo School Preschool Program Preschool educational programs for young children with field trips, classroom activities, and nature-based learning experiences.
- School Field Trips Group field trip experiences for K-12 schools with downloadable maps, field trip information, and curriculum-aligned programming.
- Homeschool Classes Educational programming designed specifically for homeschool families covering wildlife and environmental topics.
- Venue Rentals and Private Events Event hosting services for weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate events, and private functions across multiple on-site zoo venues with on-site catering.
- Signature Annual Events Annual signature events including Zoo Run (5K/10K fundraising run), Beastro (tasting and music event), Boo at the Zoo (Halloween celebration), and Pumpkins & Pancakes.
- On-Site Gift Shops and Dining Retail merchandise shops and food/beverage locations throughout the zoo premises, with an online merchandise storefront at shopfortworthzoo.org.
Quantifiable outcome
- 1 million+ visitors annually since 1991
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Fort Worth Zoo
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Fort Worth Zoo technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Fort Worth Zoo partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Tarrant County CollegeminorFort Worth Zoo and Tarrant County College co-host annual Deaf Day events for members of the Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing community. Events began in 2023 and continue annually, providing accessible zoo experiences with special programming and interpreter services.
- Louisiana Purchase Gardens & ZoominorFort Worth Zoo assisted Louisiana Purchase Gardens & Zoo in Monroe, LA following Hurricane Laura damage. Provided equipment including UTV, trailers, chainsaws, and expert personnel to help assess damage and begin cleanup efforts as part of coordinated zoological disaster response.
- Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue and Recovery (ZDR3) TeamcoreZDR3 is a coordinated disaster response team of zoos and wildlife facilities in Texas and surrounding states, headquartered at the Fort Worth Zoo. Created in response to Hurricane Harvey to provide coordinated communication and rescue/recovery efforts for animal facilities during natural disasters.
- Green Mountain Energy CompanyminorGreen Mountain Energy donated $140,000 through the Green Mountain Energy Sun Club to fund installation of a 47.5 kilowatt solar array on the zoo's administration building roof. This is the largest solar system powering a Texas zoo and expected to produce over 93,000 kWh of clean electricity annually, reducing the zoo's carbon footprint and energy costs.
- Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)coreFort Worth Zoo is accredited by AZA and participates in AZA Species Survival Plans (SSPs) for endangered species breeding programs. The zoo houses 112 species in AZA SSP programs and 68 endangered/threatened species on state and federal levels.
- International Elephant Foundation (IEF)coreFort Worth Zoo helped establish IEF in 1998 and has served as an international leader in Asian elephant conservation. Zoo Executive Director Michael Fouraker served as president of IEF for nine years and currently serves on the board. The zoo contributes to global elephant conservation efforts through IEF.
- Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA)coreFort Worth Zoo Conservation Biologist Rick Hudson co-founded TSA in 2001 in response to the Asian turtle crisis. TSA is now a global force in turtle conservation with worldwide field programs and an annual budget of over $1 million. Hudson serves as TSA president and chairman of the board.
- International Iguana FoundationcoreFort Worth Zoo's Rick Hudson serves as executive director of the International Iguana Foundation, an organization responsible for funding conservation efforts in Central America, Fiji, and the Caribbean. The zoo received the International Conservation Award in 2000 for Jamaican iguana recovery.
- American Association of Zoo Keepers (AAZK)minorAAZK provides information on zoo keeping as a career and is listed as a resource on the Fort Worth Zoo's FAQ page for those interested in animal care professions.
- Nature ServeminorNature Serve provides authoritative information on more than 65,000 plants, animals, and ecosystems of the United States and Canada. Listed as a resource on the zoo's FAQ page for animal research.
Scale indicators8 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Fort Worth Zoo competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Sister AZA-accredited zoological park operating large-scale wildlife exhibits, conservation breeding programs, and ticketed admission. Direct comparable on scale, accreditation stack, revenue model, and conservation leadership.
- Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society): Large AZA-accredited urban zoo with comparable mix of admission, membership, conservation, and education programs; operates the same multi-stream nonprofit zoo business model with international conservation scope.
- Dallas Zoo: The other major DFW-Metroplex zoological park — same geographic market, comparable AZA accreditation, and overlapping member and visitor base; closest competitor for family visits and corporate event hosting.
- Houston Zoo: Texas-based AZA-accredited zoological park of similar scale with comparable exhibit strategy, conservation programs, and ticketed-attraction revenue model; relevant statewide benchmark and partnership/transfer peer.
- Smithsonian's National Zoo: AZA-accredited zoological park with similarly large species collection (including conservation-breeding SSP participation), broad educational programming, and nationally recognized brand position analogous to Fort Worth Zoo's No. 1 ranking.
- Saint Louis Zoo: Major nonprofit, AZA-accredited urban zoo with comparable exhibit and conservation profile; strong peer for benchmarking membership revenue and capital campaign execution.
- Denver Zoo: AZA-accredited, nonprofit zoological park with similar exhibit-renewal, conservation-partnership, and public-private operating model, and overlapping climate/seasonality dynamics affecting attendance.
- Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: AZA-accredited zoo with comparable family-recreation, education, and ticketed-attraction business; runs similar mission-driven capital-campaign and breeding-program strategy.
- Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium: AZA-accredited, frequently top-ranked U.S. zoological park known for award-winning exhibit design (analogous to Fort Worth's MOLA win) and similar nonprofit operating model with diversified revenue streams.
- Audubon Zoo: AZA-accredited nonprofit zoo with comparable exhibit, conservation-education, and special-events portfolio within a regional tourism market — comparable scale and revenue mix peer.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Fort Worth Zoo social profiles
Digital presenceFort Worth Zoo compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Fort Worth Zoo financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Fort Worth Zoo leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
Fort Worth Zoo funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Fort Worth 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 Fort Worth Zoo
What does Fort Worth Zoo do?
The Fort Worth Zoo operates a 64-acre zoological park housing nearly 7,000 animals representing more than 500 species, open 365 days a year for public visitation. Core paid offerings include daily admission tickets, annual memberships, educational programs (Zoo School, camps, field trips), animal adoption packages, behind-the-scenes tours, venue rentals for events, and on-site retail and dining. The zoo also runs membership-only events and signature annual fundraisers (Beastro, Zoo Run, Boo at the Zoo).
Is Fort Worth Zoo a public or private company?
Fort Worth Zoo is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Fort Worth Zoo founded?
Fort Worth Zoo was founded in 1909. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Fort Worth Zoo based?
Fort Worth Zoo is headquartered in Fort Worth, United States, in the North America region.
How does Fort Worth Zoo make money?
Six revenue lines are on record. Admission Tickets are the primary driver. The others are memberships, animal Adoptions, donations, special Events and retail and Dining.
Who are Fort Worth Zoo's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society), Dallas Zoo, Houston Zoo, Smithsonian's National Zoo, Saint Louis Zoo, Denver Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium and Audubon Zoo.
Does Fort Worth Zoo have an API?
No public API is recorded for Fort Worth Zoo.