Zoo Atlanta
Zoo Atlanta is a nonprofit, AZA-accredited zoological park in Atlanta, Georgia, operating on a 40-acre facility with 1,000+ animals across 200+ species. It serves families, schools, tourists, and corporate clients through admissions, memberships, educational programs, and conservation partnerships.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1889
- HeadquartersAtlanta, United States
- Headcount251–500
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Zoo Atlanta does
Zoo Atlanta, legally Atlanta-Fulton County Zoo, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit zoological park founded in 1889 and operating on a 40-acre campus at 800 Cherokee Avenue SE in Atlanta, Georgia. The organization houses over 1,000 animals representing more than 200 species and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA). Its operational scope spans animal care and welfare, conservation breeding, field conservation, scientific research, and public education, with active participation in 70+ Species Survival Plans and long-standing field partnerships with organizations such as the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, Conservation South Luangwa, and the China Wildlife Conservation Association.
The zoo's product portfolio centers on general admission tickets and a multi-tier annual membership program (ranging from $139 to $550), supplemented by premium add-on experiences including Wild Encounters (behind-the-scenes animal interactions), Giraffe Feedings, the Wild Explorer VR Theater (partnered with Immotion), and Animal Health Center tours. Educational offerings include Safari Camp, Kids Night Out, NightCrawler Overnights, school field trips, and ZooMobile outreach programs. Complementary revenue comes from event venue rentals (Savanna Hall, Carlos Ballroom, Grand Pavilion), on-site F&B, retail merchandise, and charitable contributions including the annual Beastly Feast gala, which raised over $1 million in 2026.
The business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue mix combining transactional admissions, recurring membership subscriptions, ancillary consumer spending, private event rentals, and philanthropic contributions. Go-to-market is predominantly direct-to-consumer through on-site box offices and the zooatlanta.org online portal, augmented by sales-led group outreach to schools and corporate clients and channel partnerships including Atlanta CityPASS for tourist acquisition. The customer base spans families with children (primary), school groups, corporate clients, individual members, and tourists, with membership tiers and seasonal events (Zoo Boo, Zoo Lights, Savanna Nights) driving attendance spikes and retention.
Zoo Atlanta firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Zoo Atlanta
- Legal name
- Atlanta-Fulton County Zoo, Inc.
- Website
- https://zooatlanta.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1889
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 251–500 employees
- Short description
- Zoo Atlanta is a nonprofit, AZA-accredited zoological park in Atlanta, Georgia, operating on a 40-acre facility with 1,000+ animals across 200+ species. It serves families, schools, tourists, and corporate clients through admissions, memberships, educational programs, and conservation partnerships.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Zoo Atlanta industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Zoological Park
- NAICS
- Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)
- SIC
- Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL)
Keywords
Where Zoo Atlanta is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Atlanta
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Zoo Atlanta business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Admission Tickets: Revenue generated from selling day admission tickets to visitors, with dynamic pricing based on age categories (adults, seniors, children) and peak/off-peak pricing periods.
- Membership Program: Annual membership subscriptions providing unlimited admission, member-exclusive events, and discounts on concessions and retail. Memberships represent recurring revenue from repeat visitors.
- Event Venue Rentals: Rental of zoo grounds and facilities for private events, corporate functions, weddings, and after-hours experiences, generating revenue from event fees and associated services.
- Food and Beverage: On-site dining facilities, cafes, and catering services generate revenue from visitor spending on food and beverages during zoo visits.
- Retail Merchandise: Gift shops and online store selling zoo-themed merchandise, souvenirs, and educational products.
- Animal Encounters and Experiences: Premium animal encounter experiences, behind-the-scenes tours, and interactive programs offered at additional cost to standard admission.
- Donations and Contributions: As a nonprofit organization, Zoo Atlanta relies on charitable donations, sponsorships, and contributed revenue from supporters to fund conservation programs and operations.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | General Admission (Adults) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Children and Senior Discounts |
| Subscription | Annual | Annual Membership |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Group/School Rates |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Animal Encounters and Add-Ons |
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | CityPASS Integration |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels6 records
Zoo Atlanta product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Zoo Atlanta is a nonprofit zoological park in Atlanta, Georgia that operates animal exhibits and habitats for public viewing. The zoo sells admission tickets, annual memberships, special animal encounters, educational programs for children and schools, and event venue rentals. The organization is also involved in wildlife conservation research and education.
Product overview
Zoo Atlanta is a zoological park offering a unified visitor experience centered on animal exhibits, conservation education, and family entertainment. The core product is general admission tickets and annual memberships, which provide access to over 200 species across various habitats. The product portfolio includes fee-based add-on experiences (Wild Encounters, Giraffe Feedings, Wild Explorer VR Theater, Animal Health Center Tours), educational programs (Safari Camp, Kids Night Out, NightCrawler Overnights, Field Trips, ZooMobile Outreach), and rides/attractions (Zoo Train, Carousel, Treetop Trail, Splash Fountain). Additional revenue streams include event venue rentals (Savanna Hall, Carlos Ballroom, conference rooms), dining services, and retail shopping. The digital membership program includes a companion mobile app for digital card access.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- General Admission
- Annual Membership
- Wild Encounters
- Wild Explorer VR Theater
- Safari Camp
- Keeper Talks
- Field Trips
- NightCrawler Overnights
- Kids Night Out
- ZooMobile Outreach
- Event Venue Rentals
- Group Sales
- Animal Health Center Tours
- Atlanta CityPASS
- Roundhouse Railroad and Carousel
Quantifiable outcome
- Participates in 70+ Species Survival Plans for endangered species conservation
Companies that use Zoo Atlanta
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Zoo Atlanta technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Zoo Atlanta partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- China Wildlife Conservation AssociationcoreConservation partnership for giant panda conservation and research programs, supporting the survival of this endangered species through collaborative efforts.
- Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda BreedingcoreResearch collaboration providing panda expertise and breeding program support, contributing to global panda conservation efforts.
- Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund InternationalcoreLong-standing partnership supporting gorilla conservation in Rwanda, including daily field patrols, research, and community education programs protecting mountain gorillas.
- Conservation South LuangwacorePartnership supporting elephant conservation efforts in Zambia's Luangwa Valley, contributing to anti-poaching initiatives and habitat protection.
- Golden Lion Tamarin AssociationcoreCollaboration supporting conservation of golden lion tamarins in Brazil, contributing to habitat restoration and reintroduction programs for this endangered primate.
- Orianne SocietyminorPartnership supporting reptile and amphibian conservation in the southeastern United States, focusing on indigo snake and gopher tortoise habitats.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Zoo Atlanta competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- North Carolina Zoo: Public AZA-accredited zoo of similar scale with comparable educational programming and Species Survival Plan participation.
- Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: AZA-accredited mid-size zoo with strong social media brand and family programming. Comparable in product mix (admissions, memberships, education) and visitor demographics.
- Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society): Largest urban zoo in the US, also AZA-accredited with deep conservation programs (WCS). Comparable in scale, mission, and educational programming to Zoo Atlanta.
- Smithsonian's National Zoo: Major AZA-accredited zoological park with giant panda program and Smithsonian-affiliated conservation research. Closely comparable in scale, mission, and panda conservation experience.
- Denver Zoo: AZA-accredited nonprofit zoo with comparable species collection size, conservation programs, and tiered membership structure.
- Houston Zoo: AZA-accredited nonprofit zoo of comparable scale in a major Southern metro, with similar membership tiering, school programs, and conservation partnerships.
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance: AZA-accredited nonprofit zoo renowned for Species Survival Plans and conservation research. Directly comparable in mission, accreditation profile, and Species Survival Plan participation.
Regional players
- Chattanooga Zoo: Smaller AZA-accredited zoo in the Southeast serving a similar regional family and education audience; comparable in mission but at smaller scale.
- Georgia Aquarium: Atlanta-based AZA-accredited aquarium and a fellow CityPASS partner; competes directly for tourist dollars and family outings in the same metro market.
Broad incumbents
- Disney's Animal Kingdom: AZA-accredited large-scale zoological theme park; competes for the same family tourist segment in the broader US leisure market, though at a different price and scale point.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Zoo Atlanta social profiles
Digital presenceZoo Atlanta financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Zoo Atlanta leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Zoo Atlanta funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Zoo Atlanta 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 Zoo Atlanta
What does Zoo Atlanta do?
Zoo Atlanta is a nonprofit zoological park in Atlanta, Georgia that operates animal exhibits and habitats for public viewing. The zoo sells admission tickets, annual memberships, special animal encounters, educational programs for children and schools, and event venue rentals. The organization is also involved in wildlife conservation research and education.
Is Zoo Atlanta a public or private company?
Zoo Atlanta is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Zoo Atlanta founded?
Zoo Atlanta was founded in 1889. It employs 251 to 500 people.
Where is Zoo Atlanta based?
Zoo Atlanta is headquartered in Atlanta, United States, in the North America region.
How does Zoo Atlanta make money?
Seven revenue lines are on record. Admission Tickets are the primary driver. The others are membership Program, event Venue Rentals, food and Beverage, retail Merchandise, animal Encounters and Experiences and donations and Contributions.
Who are Zoo Atlanta's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are North Carolina Zoo, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society), Smithsonian's National Zoo, Denver Zoo, Houston Zoo and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Regional players are Chattanooga Zoo and Georgia Aquarium. Disney's Animal Kingdom is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does Zoo Atlanta have an API?
No public API is recorded for Zoo Atlanta.
What industry is Zoo Atlanta in?
Zoo Atlanta's product category is Zoological Park. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAJAEAE, Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions), with a secondary code of THAJADAL, Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections). Its NAICS code is 71213 and its SIC code is 7900.