Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

What Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo does

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is an AZA-accredited, 501(c)(3) nonprofit zoological park operated by the Omaha Zoological Society. The organization traces its origins to 1895 and operates a 160-acre main campus in Omaha, Nebraska, plus a separate drive-through Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park in Ashland. It houses more than 33,000 animals across more than 20 immersive habitats, including the world's largest indoor desert (Desert Dome), the nation's largest indoor rainforest (Lied Jungle), Hubbard Gorilla Valley, Asian Highlands, and a recently reimagined Stingray Beach interactive aquatic habitat. Approximately 2 million guests visit annually, and the zoo has been named #1 Zoo in the Nation by USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice Awards for four consecutive years (2023–2026).

The core product portfolio is anchored by general admission tickets (priced at $33.95 for adults, $25.95 for children, $30.55 for seniors and military adults) and recurring memberships that include reciprocal privileges at more than 100 zoos nationwide. Revenue is diversified across add-on experiences (Stingray Beach, Giraffe Encounter, Wild Explorer, Lozier Giant Screen Theater, Skyfari, Sue's Carousel, tram, and Scott Alaskan Adventure Splash Park), educational programming (Zoo Schools, Zoo Academy, Scout classes, day camps, Sleeping Bag Safaris), adult-only events (Late Nights at the Zoo), private event rentals, and donations from a base of more than 10,000 community supporters. Distribution is omnichannel: on-site box office, a dedicated e-commerce checkout at checkout.omahazoo.com, group sales, and the membership portal.

The underlying operational technology centers on advanced animal care and veterinary systems, most notably the new 32,000-square-foot Bill and Berniece Grewcock Animal Hospital (opened January 2026), which features the zoo's first CT scanner, integrated video monitoring, an in-house clinical pathology laboratory, and surgical and treatment suites. The facility is one of only 32 institutions nationwide offering a zoological medicine residency through the American College of Zoological Medicine. The zoo participates in AZA Species Survival Plans and multi-zoo conservation releases (e.g., Dusky Gopher Frog), and partners with The Nature Conservancy at the 299-acre Folsom Point Preserve to source fresh browse while conserving tallgrass prairie.

Name

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

Legal name

Omaha Zoological Society

Website

https://omahazoo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1895

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium is an AZA-accredited nonprofit zoological park operating a 160-acre main campus in Omaha, Nebraska, housing more than 33,000 animals across 20+ exhibits and serving approximately 2 million annual visitors through ticketed admission, memberships, educational programming, and conservation partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoological Park and Aquarium

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190)

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

Safari Parks & Drive-Through Wildlife Parks (THAAAFAD), Wildlife Watching & Encounters (Birding, Whale Watching, Primates) (THAJAIAC)

Keywords

• Zoological park services
• Wildlife conservation programs
• Animal habitat exhibits
• Educational zoo programs
• Membership admission services

Headquarters

HQ city

Omaha

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Admission tickets sold to visitors for daily admission, with separate pricing for adults, children, seniors, and military personnel. Additional add-on experiences like Stingray Beach available for purchase.
2. Membership Program: Annual and multi-year memberships providing free admission, discounts on events, concessions, gifts, rides, and reciprocal privileges to over 100 zoos nationwide. Major revenue stream supporting nonprofit operations.
3. Donations: Community donations fund projects such as the Grewcock Animal Hospital (funded by more than 10,000 community donors) and Stingray Beach improvements.
4. Attractions and Experiences: Revenue from attractions including Lozier Giant Screen Theater, Skyfari, Giraffe Encounter, Wild Explorer, and ride experiences like Sue's Carousel and Train.
5. Educational Programs: Fees for educational programming including day camps, classes, scout programs, sleeping bag safaris, and school field trips.
6. Event Rentals: Private event rentals including corporate events, birthday parties, and Late Nights at the Zoo adult events with food and beverage service.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium operates a 160-acre zoological facility housing more than 33,000 animals across immersive habitat exhibits such as Desert Dome, Lied Jungle, and Asian Highlands. The organization sells admission tickets, annual memberships, add-on attractions (Stingray Beach, Giraffe Encounter, Lozier Giant Screen Theater), educational programs (day camps, scout programs, Zoo Academy), private event rentals, and oversees the affiliated Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park drive-through wildlife experience.

Product overview

Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium operates as a 160-acre zoological park offering a unified visitor experience centered on animal exhibits and conservation education. The core product portfolio includes general zoo admission and annual memberships, supplemented by paid add-on experiences such as Stingray Beach interactive habitat, Lozier Giant Screen Theater, Wild Explorer adventures, Giraffe Encounters, Late Nights at the Zoo (adult events), Sleeping Bag Safaris overnight programs, and educational camps for children and scouts. The affiliated Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park operates as a separate sub-brand offering drive-through wildlife viewing in Ashland, Nebraska. The zoo also maintains the Bill and Berniece Grewcock Animal Hospital for animal care operations. The organization is operated by the nonprofit Omaha Zoological Society and holds AZA accreditation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park: A separate 4-mile drive-through safari park located in Ashland, Nebraska, offering North American wildlife viewing from visitors' own vehicles.

Products and services

• Zoo Admission Tickets General admission tickets providing access to 160 acres of outdoor and indoor habitat exhibits for individual visitors and families.
• Zoo Memberships Annual and multi-year membership tiers providing free zoo and theater admission, event discounts, concessions discounts, and reciprocal privileges to over 100 zoos nationwide.
• Stingray Beach Interactive aquatic habitat where guests observe and touch cownose stingrays and brown-banded bamboo sharks, with structured feeding experiences and guided guest interactions.
• Lozier Giant Screen Theater Giant screen theater offering documentary and educational film presentations for zoo visitors.
• Wild Explorer Adventure experience offering behind-the-scenes access and guided exploration activities throughout the zoo.
• Giraffe Encounter Up-close animal encounter experience where guests interact with and learn about giraffes from trained staff.
• Late Nights at the Zoo Adult-only (21+) evening events with wildlife viewing, food trucks, and drinks in a relaxed atmosphere.
• Sleeping Bag Safaris Overnight camping experiences at the zoo offering guided nocturnal wildlife activities and educational programming for families and groups.
• Day Camps Educational day camps for children ranging from half-day to five days, featuring tours, games, and hands-on activities led by zoo instructors.
• Scout Programs Badge-earning classes for Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts including hands-on activities, keeper interactions, and ambassador animal visits.
• Zoo Academy Two-year high school program for juniors and seniors in the Omaha and Council Bluffs metro area, providing conservation and zoological education.
• Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park Drive-through wildlife park in Ashland, Nebraska featuring four miles of North American wildlife viewing from visitors' own vehicles, including Insect Adventure and seasonal Jurassic Adventure exhibits.
• Zoo Exhibits (Desert Dome, Lied Jungle, Asian Highlands, Scott African Grasslands) Over 20 immersive habitat exhibits including Desert Dome (world's largest indoor desert), Lied Jungle (nation's largest indoor rainforest), Asian Highlands, Scott African Grasslands, Hubbard Gorilla Valley, and others housing more than 33,000 animals.
• Private Event Rentals Private event rentals including corporate events, birthday parties, and adult gatherings with food and beverage service.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 2 million visitors annually generating significant community and economic impact
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• The Nature Conservancy (TNC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 October 2025Partnership to provide high quality nutrition in the form of fresh browse for Zoo animals while protecting one of the rarest ecosystems in the world, the tallgrass prairie. At TNC's Folsom Point Preserve, a 299-acre remnant prairie, fresh browse is harvested for zoo animals while preserving habitat.
• Columbus Zoo and AquariumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025JJ and Kamoli, two western lowland gorillas, arrived at the zoo from Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio. This collaboration allows Columbus Zoo's habitat renovation while ensuring animals receive expert care.
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Memphis Zoo, Detroit Zoo, Dallas Zoo, Como Park Zoo and ConservatorycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 April 2025Collaboration in Dusky Gopher Frog conservation release program. Zoo released 387 zoo-bred froglets of critically endangered species into restored habitat in Mississippi as part of fourth and most successful release to date.
• Omaha STEM EcosystemminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2022Educational partnership for City Nature Challenge, a global community science competition to document urban biodiversity in the Omaha Metro area.
• Heron Haven, Mulhall's, Fontenelle ForestminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2022Community science partnerships for City Nature Challenge 2022, working together to document and protect Omaha Metro biodiversity.
• Riverside Discovery CenterminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2021Partnership to provide a home for a young puma cub found in Nebraska. AZA species coordinator connected the organizations to quickly place the animal in an AZA facility.
• Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the WildcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerThe zoo was featured on Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild television program, showcasing decades of conservation work including efforts to save the Puerto Rican crested toad from near extinction.
• Chinese Association of Zoological Gardens (CAZG)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOmaha's zoo was selected as one of five American zoos for CAZG's annual training program. Six directors of Chinese zoos visited to learn about effective zoo management and AZA accreditation standards.
• WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZoo displays WAZA accreditation and participates in global zoo and aquarium community standards and best practices.
• AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAZA accreditation with ongoing participation in Species Survival Plans and Taxon Advisory Groups for animal population management and conservation.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Smithsonian's National Zoo: Federally operated free-admission zoo and conservation research center. Comparable in animal care capabilities, education programming, and conservation mission, though funded differently and operating at higher visitation scale.
• Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society): Iconic AZA-accredited zoo operated by a global conservation organization. Comparable as a mission-driven nonprofit zoological institution but operates at materially larger scale with broader conservation footprint.
• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: Largest and most-recognized US zoo operator with significantly larger endowment, global tourism flows, and a broader portfolio (San Diego Zoo Safari Park). Sets the upper-bound benchmark for visitor scale and brand reach that Omaha aspires to.

Direct peers

• Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: Mid-sized AZA-accredited zoological park with similar mix of exhibits, education programs, and donor-funded capital projects. Frequently compared to Omaha in USA TODAY 10Best rankings and operates comparable family entertainment and conservation programming.
• Memphis Zoo: AZA-accredited zoological park with similar exhibit portfolio and family demographic focus. Has a formal conservation partnership with Omaha on the dusky gopher frog program, signaling direct operational overlap.
• Saint Louis Zoo: Major AZA-accredited zoo operating immersive habitats, animal hospital, and large-scale education programs. Directly comparable in scale, nonprofit structure, and visitor-mix to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo.
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium with aquatic and terrestrial exhibits. Already identified as a formal partner with Omaha (gorilla transfer, dusky gopher frog release), making it a highly comparable operating peer.
• Como Park Zoo and Conservatory: AZA-accredited zoological institution with conservation programming and family demographic focus. Named as a collaborative partner in Omaha's dusky gopher frog release effort.
• Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance: Nonprofit AZA-accredited zoological park with comparable emphasis on conservation, education programming, and immersive habitats. Similar scale of annual visitation and multi-stream revenue model.
• Detroit Zoo: AZA-accredited nonprofit zoo with similar exhibit portfolio and education focus. Listed as a formal partner in Omaha's dusky gopher frog conservation release program.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/omahazoo

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo