BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo

What BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo does

BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo is a 55-year-old (founded 1970) nonprofit zoological park located in Baker, Louisiana, operated as a public attraction under the East Baton Rouge Parish Recreation and Park Commission (BREC), a political subdivision of the State of Louisiana. The zoo maintains animal exhibits across biogeographic zones including Sapo Springs (West Africa), Realm of the Tiger, Giants of the Islands (Galapagos and Aldabra tortoises), Flamingo Cove, L'aquarium de Louisiane, Safari Playground, and KidsZoo, and participates in nearly 30 international AZA Species Survival Plans for critically endangered species, including jaguars, Malayan tigers, pygmy hippos, and Asian hornbills.

The business model is a diversified admissions-plus-experiences revenue stack priced for a regional consumer market: standard daytime admission ($7-$10 per visitor), annual memberships, fee-based educational programming (field trips, Zoo Camps, Safari Night, Zoo Mobile outreach, Zoo & Me Morning, Project Ark STEM, virtual programs, Zoo Krewe teen volunteer program, Galapagos cruise), premium ticketed events (Twilight Tours, Zippity Zoo Fest, Boo at the Zoo, Zoo Lights, Brew at the Zoo, Wild Wine Walk), facility rentals (Capital One Pavilion $250-$1,500; education classrooms), Zooper Birthday Party packages ($250-$360), on-site catering, retail (Flamingo Cafe, Cool Critters Cafe, Safari Post and Adventure Market gift shops), and donation programs (Adopt an Animal, Memorial Bench, direct contributions funneled through the Baton Rouge Zoo Foundation, a 501(c)(3) formerly known as Friends of the Baton Rouge Zoo).

Distribution is omnichannel: walk-up box office at the Baker, LA site (3000 Zoo Circle), online ticketing via shop.brzoo.org, direct sales for memberships, group bookings, and corporate rentals, plus outreach programs (Zoo Mobile) that deliver content to schools. The zoo pursues earned media through local outlets like The Advocate, maintains active social profiles (Facebook, Instagram, X/Twitter, TikTok, YouTube, LinkedIn), and underwrites signature events via corporate presenting sponsors (Capital One, Hancock Whitney, Our Lady of the Lake Children's Health, BASF, Cox Communications, Neighbors Federal Credit Union). The current strategic agenda is a master-plan reimagination to remediate the 2018 loss of AZA accreditation, including new construction, refreshed exhibits, and species acquisitions through SSP channels.

Name

BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo

Legal name

BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo

Website

https://brzoo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo is a 55-year-old nonprofit zoological park in Baker, Louisiana, operated under BREC that serves regional families, schools, and corporate clients through admissions, memberships, educational programs, facility rentals, and donation-supported conservation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoological Park and Wildlife Attraction

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Museum, Zoo & Attraction Gift Shops (CRALAJAG), Parks, Gardens & Botanical Attractions (THAJACAH)

Keywords

• Zoological park services
• Wildlife education programs
• Animal exhibit experiences
• Event venue rentals
• Conservation outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Baton Rouge

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. General Admission: Daily admission fees charged to visitors for zoo access. Standard pricing for adults, children, and seniors with discounted rates for members.
2. Membership Program: Annual membership subscriptions providing unlimited zoo access, discounts on programs and events, and special member-only benefits.
3. Facility Rentals: Rental of Capital One Pavilion and education classrooms for private events, corporate functions, birthday parties, and group gatherings. Revenue from hourly/daily rental fees plus add-on services.
4. Birthday Party Packages: All-inclusive Zooper Birthday Party packages including private room rental, animal encounters, catering options, and all-day zoo access. Additional per-person charges for guests.
5. Educational Programs: Revenue from field trips, zoo camps, Safari Night overnight programs, Zoo Mobile outreach visits, and virtual programs.
6. Adopt an Animal Program: Donation-based program where supporters can symbolically adopt zoo animals to support their care and conservation efforts.
7. Food and Retail: Revenue from Flamingo Cafe, Cool Critters Cafe, Flamingo Cove concessions, Safari Post Gift Shop, and Adventure Market Gift Shop.
8. Twilight Tours: Premium evening tram ride experiences through the zoo with narrated tours, animal encounters, and evening snacks at higher price points than standard admission.
9. Catering Services: On-site catering for events including classic burgers, po-boy sandwiches, barbecue plates, jambalaya, fried catfish, boiled shrimp/crawfish, and beverage service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo is a zoological park operating admission-based visitor access to animal exhibits (including Sapo Springs, Realm of the Tiger, Flamingo Cove, Giants of the Islands, Safari Playground, L'aquarium de Louisiane, and KidsZoo). The zoo sells experience products such as birthday parties, evening Twilight Tours, zoo camps, field trips, Safari Night overnights, Zoo Mobile outreach, and Cruise to the Galapagos travel programs, plus facility rentals, event catering, seasonal festivals, and membership, animal adoption, and conservation donation programs.

Product overview

BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo operates as a unified visitor attraction offering admission-based access to animal exhibits (including Sapo Springs, Realm of the Tiger, Flamingo Cove, Giants of the Islands, Safari Playground, L'aquarium de Louisiane, and KidsZoo), combined with fee-based experience products including Zooper Birthday Parties, Twilight Tours, Zoo Camps, Field Trips, Safari Night, Zoo & Me Morning, Zoo Mobile, Project Ark, Virtual Programs, Zoo Krewe, and Cruise to the Galapagos Islands. Facility rentals (Capital One Pavilion, Education Classrooms) and event catering services are offered as add-on products. The zoo also operates seasonal events (Zoo Lights, Boo at the Zoo, Zippity Zoo Fest, Brew at the Zoo, Wild Wine Walk, Dreamnight, Guest Appreciation Days) and membership, adoption, and conservation donation programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Sapo Springs: A West African Expedition - state-of-the-art habitat featuring pygmy hippos, colobus monkeys, and African bird species with underwater viewing structure.
• Zoo Lights
• Zooper Birthday Parties
• Twilight Tours
• Zooper Birthday Party Invitations
• Flamingo Cafe

Products and services

• Zoo Admission & Visits Daytime admission to the zoo grounds featuring animal exhibits, keeper chats, and self-guided exploration. Tiered pricing for adults/teens ($10), children ages 2-12 ($7), seniors 65+ ($8.50), and free for ages 1 and under.
• Zooper Birthday Parties All-inclusive private birthday party packages held in air-conditioned rooms with all-day zoo access, animal encounters, and optional catering. Party of 12 for $250; party of 20 for $360; additional guests (ages 2+) at $15/person; $100 non-refundable deposit required.
• Twilight Tours Evening tram rides through the zoo with narrated tours, animal encounters, and snacks. Offered Tuesday and Thursday evenings in June and July, 6:00-7:30pm. Adults/teens $16, children ages 2-12 $13. Reservations required, no walkups.
• Zoo Camps Year-round camps for spring, summer, fall and winter breaks offering hands-on animal experiences and educational activities for children.
• Field Trips
• Safari Night Overnight adventure program where participants learn about zoo animals and sleep at the zoo.
• Zoo & Me Morning Program for 3 to 5 year-olds featuring animal encounters and art projects.
• Zoo Mobile Education outreach program that brings the zoo to classrooms with educational visits and animal ambassador encounters.
• Project Ark STEM education programs for East Baton Rouge Parish school grades 1-5.
• Virtual Programs Educational videos and resources for offsite learning.
• Zoo Krewe Volunteer program for teens with hands-on training at the zoo.
• Cruise to Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands Travel program featuring 8-day/7-night cruise aboard M/C GALAPAGOS SEAMAN JOURNEY plus Ecuador land tour, scheduled for September 12-23, 2027.
• Capital One Pavilion & Picnic Grove Rentals Facility rental of the Capital One Pavilion for daytime and evening events, including corporate functions, family reunions, and team building. Daytime $250/hour or $500/day; $200/hour evening extension; $1,500 for 200 guests after-hours (6pm-10pm) with $7/person for additional guests. Add-ons include catering, private animal programs, inflatable entertainment, climbing wall, and face painting.
• Education Classrooms Meeting spaces accommodating up to 30 guests, equipped with smart TV, laptop, tables, and chairs for corporate meetings and events.
• Event Catering Menu On-site catering for events including classic hamburgers, jumbo chili dogs, po-boy sandwiches, barbecued chicken plates, jambalaya, fried catfish, boiled shrimp or crawfish, mini meat pies, corn dogs, finger sandwiches, vegetable trays, chicken nuggets, and beverage options.
• Adopt an Animal Program allowing supporters to symbolically adopt a zoo animal to support animal care and conservation efforts.
• Zoo Membership Annual membership program providing unlimited zoo visits, member discounts, and special access to events. Sold online, by phone, or in-person.
• Memorial Bench Program Commemorative bench program providing reflective seating while supporting the zoo's conservation and education mission.
• Conservation Efforts Wildlife conservation programs including support for Asian Hornbill SAFE Program, jaguar Species Survival Plan, giraffe conservation, and participation in Species360/ZIMS database for turtle and tortoise aging research.
• Zoo Lights Annual holiday evening event featuring illuminated animal sculptures, food drive partnership with Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank (goal 8,000 pounds of food), and Santa Claus appearances on select nights.
• Boo at the Zoo Annual Halloween event with trick-or-treating, costume contests, character meet-and-greets, animal enrichments, and seasonal entertainment. Presented by Hancock Whitney.
• Zippity Zoo Fest Annual spring festival celebrating the zoo's birthday with children's activities, entertainment, keeper chats, animal enrichments, and free birthday cake.
• Brew at the Zoo Adults-only craft beer tasting event featuring local breweries, live entertainment, and animal encounters. Annual fundraiser for the Baton Rouge Zoo Foundation.
• Wild Wine Walk Adults-only wine tasting event with samples from local eateries, acoustic music, and evening animal viewing.
• Dreamnight Private invitation-only evening event for children impacted by pediatric cancer and their families, featuring animal chats, entertainment, and dinner at no cost. Presented by BASF.
• Sapo Springs Exhibit West African Expedition exhibit featuring pygmy hippos (Ginger and Spencer), colobus monkeys, African aviary with endangered birds (Abdim's Stork, Lappet-Faced Vultures, Sacred Ibis), and underwater viewing for hippos.
• Realm of the Tiger Exhibit Tiger exhibit featuring Malayan tigers, including Tanvir who arrived November 2024 through the AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP) Program.
• Flamingo Cove Exhibit Exhibit featuring Chilean flamingos and the Flamingo Cafe.
• Giants of the Islands Exhibit Exhibit featuring large island species including Galapagos tortoises and Aldabra giant tortoises.
• Food and Retail (Flamingo Cafe, Cool Critters Cafe, Flamingo Cove Concessions, Safari Post Gift Shop, Adventure Market Gift Shop) On-site food and beverage outlets (Flamingo Cafe, Cool Critters Cafe, Flamingo Cove concessions) plus gift shops (Safari Post Gift Shop, Adventure Market Gift Shop) selling zoo-themed merchandise and refreshments.

Quantifiable outcome

• First jaguar birth at the zoo in 31 years (December 2024)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cox CommunicationscoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 16 May 2026Cox Communications partnered with the zoo for Pollinator Day, a hands-on community event focused on protecting native species and strengthening natural habitats across South Louisiana. Cox Mobile also ran a store promotion offering chances to win zoo prize packages.
• BASFcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 3 June 2022Presenting sponsor for Dreamnight, a private invitation-only event for children impacted by pediatric cancer and their families.
• Capital OnecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCapital One holds naming rights for the Capital One Pavilion, the zoo's primary event rental space. The partnership provides a venue for corporate events, birthday parties, and private gatherings.
• Species360coreTechnology or IntegrationBREC's Baton Rouge Zoo is a member of Species360 and uses the Zoological Information Management Systems (ZIMS) database to record detailed animal collection data, contributing to population management and conservation research.
• Greater Baton Rouge Food BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual partnership during Zoo Lights where guests who bring non-perishable food items receive 50% discount on admission, with all donations benefiting the food bank. Goal of 8,000 pounds of food collected.
• Our Lady of the Lake Children's HealthcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Zoo Lights holiday event, supporting the annual festive light display trail through the zoo.
• Hancock WhitneycoreGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor for Boo at the Zoo Halloween event, supporting the annual family-friendly Halloween celebration.
• Cancer Services of Baton RougeminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting partner for Dreamnight event for children with pediatric cancer.
• Our Lady of the Lake Children's HospitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting partner for Dreamnight event.
• AZA SAFE Program (Association of Zoos and Aquariums)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerActive participation in AZA Species Survival Plan programs and SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) initiatives, including Asian Hornbill conservation.
• Southern UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with Southern University students on cultural signage and artwork for the Sapo Springs exhibit, telling stories about how cultures relate to wild animals and conservation.
• LSU School of Veterinary MedicinecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for veterinary care, necropsies, and collaborative educational advancement. LSU performs detailed pathology examinations for deceased animals.
• The AdvocatecoreGTM or Marketing PartnerAnnual photo contest co-hosted with The Advocate, encouraging visitors to submit photos taken at the zoo in various categories.
• Local and Regional BreweriesminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCraft breweries that donate beer samples for Brew at the Zoo fundraising event.
• Neighbors Federal Credit UnionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupporting sponsor for Zoo Lights holiday event.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Memphis Zoo: Mid-sized AZA-accredited zoo in the Mid-South offering comparable mix of general admission, memberships, camps, and event rentals. Operates a similar product breadth (birthday parties, overnights, school programs) and faces analogous Gulf/South weather exposure.
• Zoo Atlanta: Mid-sized AZA-accredited zoo with a strong education and conservation programming profile analogous to BREC's Project Ark and SSP participation. Comparable product mix and southern U.S. climate/market context.
• Jackson Zoo: Mississippi-based regional zoo serving an adjacent Gulf South market with a similar family/entertainment/education orientation. Closest geographic comp outside Louisiana and useful benchmark for local-market, mid-size zoo economics.
• Birmingham Zoo: Regional AZA-affiliated zoo of broadly similar size and southern U.S. market profile. Comparable mix of family entertainment, education programs, facility rentals, and signature seasonal events.
• Audubon Zoo: Louisiana's flagship zoo located in New Orleans, operating as part of the Audubon Nature Institute. Most directly comparable peer given shared Louisiana geography, similar AZA standing, comparable family/education programming, and overlapping visitor market.
• Alexandria Zoo: Louisiana-based AZA-affiliated zoo of comparable scale (~150+ species) serving a similar family/school audience. Direct peer in state and operating model, providing a useful scale and visitation benchmark.
• Nashville Zoo: AZA-accredited zoo with comparable scale and a similarly diversified model of admissions, premium experiences (carousels, rides, animal encounters), seasonal events, and school programming. Useful comp for premium-experience pricing and event-driven monetization.
• Knoxville Zoo: AZA-accredited zoo of broadly similar scale in the Southeast U.S., with comparable programming breadth (camps, overnights, school programs, facility rentals, signature events) and similar mid-size regional positioning.

Broad incumbents

• Houston Zoo: Large, fully AZA-accredited zoo within driving distance of Baton Rouge. Operates similar revenue streams (admission, membership, events, education) at much greater scale (~2M+ annual visitors), serving as an upper-bound benchmark for what BREC's master plan could ultimately scale toward.
• San Antonio Zoo: Larger, fully accredited Texas zoo operating comparable revenue streams including general admission, memberships, education, and major seasonal events. Relevant comp for the upper end of regional zoo economics and event-driven revenue intensity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/batonrougezoo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCzR5O4T6hQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/brecsbrzoo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/baton-rouge-zoo
• Instagraminstagram.com/batonrougezoo
• TikToktiktok.com/@batonrougezoo

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo