What Akron Zoo does

The Akron Zoological Park, operating as the Akron Zoo, is a 501(c)-equivalent nonprofit zoological park founded in 1950 and headquartered at 505 Euclid Avenue in Akron, Ohio. The organization is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and is a member of the American Public Gardens Association (APGA), housing more than 2,000 animals across multiple habitats including the Tom and Shelley Koutnik Primate Passage. It participates in 41 Species Survival Plans and has delivered notable conservation outcomes including the largest reintroduction of a species extinct in the wild (approximately 25,000 Partula snails released in Tahiti over nine years) and the 2021 American Red Wolf cross-fostering milestone.

The Akron Zoo generates revenue across six principal streams: general admission ($11-$21 per person, free for children under 2 and members), annual memberships with reciprocity across 150+ AZA-accredited institutions, premium paid experiences ($55-$150 per person for Behind-the-Scenes, Rise and Shine Safari, and Get Closer Tours), on-site spending (gift shop, Komodo Kingdom Cafe, event rentals), corporate and individual donations via the Conservation Fund (1% of every admission plus direct contributions), and seasonal ticketed events (Margarita Crawl, Wild Lights, DinoTrek, Chalk-a-Palooza, Wild Market, Boo at the Zoo). Customer segments include families with children, K-12 school groups, tourists, Summit County residents, corporate partners, conservation-minded adults, and inclusive audiences served through the Museums for All and Inclusion Days programs.

Operationally, the zoo is run with 101-250 employees including seasonal staff earning $12/hour, and has expanded its institutional footprint by assuming national management of the FrogWatch USA citizen science program (140+ chapters) in 2022. Conservation programs extend globally through partnerships with Fauna & Flora International (Vietnam), Red Panda Network (Nepal), Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust and IPE (Brazil), and domestically through the SPOTD spotted turtle initiative with Cleveland Metroparks and ODNR. Technology infrastructure consists of a Shopify-based online shop, standard web analytics, and remarketing tools, with no disclosed proprietary AI/ML systems.

Name

Akron Zoo

Legal name

The Akron Zoological Park

Website

https://akronzoo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

The Akron Zoo is an AZA-accredited nonprofit zoological park in Akron, Ohio, housing 2,000+ animals and generating revenue through admissions, memberships, premium experiences, events, and donations. It serves families, schools, tourists, and corporate partners while operating 41 Species Survival Plans and managing the national FrogWatch USA citizen science program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Akron

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Admission Tickets: General admission ranges from $11-$21 per person. Children under 2 and Akron Zoo members receive free admission. Parking is free for all visitors.
2. Memberships: Annual membership programs offering free admission, exclusive member events, member-only extended hours, and discounted admission to 150+ accredited zoos and aquariums across the country.
3. Unique Experiences/Tours: Premium paid experiences including Behind-the-Scenes Tours, Rise and Shine Safari Tours, and Get Closer Tours (Lion, River Otter, Grizzly Bear, Galapagos Tortoise, Animal Ambassadors). Prices range from $55-$150 per person.
4. On-site Spending: Revenue from gift shop, food service (Komodo Kingdom Cafe), catering events, and facility rentals/party hosting.
5. Donations and Conservation Fund: One percent of admission supports field conservation. Additional donations through the Conservation Fund support 18-20 field conservation projects annually. Cans for Corridors program raises funds through aluminum can recycling.
6. Special Events: Paid admission events like Margarita Crawl (21+ event), Wild Market Arts & Craft Show, Chalk-a-Palooza, and Shop-a-Holidays generate additional ticket revenue.
7. Seasonal Employment: The zoo employs seasonal staff at $12/hour in guest services and food service departments.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Akron Zoo operates an AZA-accredited zoological park in Akron, Ohio, housing more than 2,000 animals from around the world. It sells general admission tickets, annual memberships, and premium animal experiences (Behind-the-Scenes Tours, Get Closer Tours, Rise and Shine Safari Tours), and runs seasonal ticketed events (DinoTrek, Wild Lights, Chalk-a-Palooza, Margarita Crawl). The zoo also operates education programs (ZooCamp, Mobile Zoo, field trips) and citizen-science conservation programs (FrogWatch USA, Lights Out, Cans for Corridors, Christmas Bird Count).

Product overview

Akron Zoo is an AZA-accredited zoological park housing over 2,000 animals from around the world. The organization operates as a unified zoo experience with integrated conservation, education, and guest experience offerings. The core product is general zoo admission, supported by premium experiences (Behind-the-Scenes Tours, Rise and Shine Safari Tours, Get Closer Tours), seasonal events (DinoTrek, Wild Lights, Chalk-a-Palooza, Margarita Crawl, Wild Market, Shop-a-Holidays), and education programs (ZooCamp, Mobile Zoo). Conservation is woven throughout via citizen science programs (FrogWatch USA, Lights Out, Cans for Corridors, Christmas Bird Count, Plastic Free July) and field conservation partnerships supporting species worldwide. The zoo generates revenue through admission, memberships, donations, corporate partnerships, and experience fees.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Admission
• Zoo Membership
• Behind-the-Scenes Tours

Quantifiable outcome

• The Akron Zoo has released approximately 25,000 Partula snails in Tahiti over nine years - the largest reintroduction of a species extinct in the wild
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Summit County Developmental Disabilities BoardcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 February 2026Partnership organized for Inclusion Days event (February 28 through March 2, 2026) offering free admission for guests who wear orange, celebrating National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month and promoting inclusion for people of all abilities.
• Huntington BankmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of DinoTrek animatronic dinosaur exhibit returning to the Akron Zoo through September 20.
• BellStoresminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPresenting sponsor of Members' Extended Hours events, exclusive member-only evening access opportunities.
• Fauna & Flora InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld's oldest international wildlife conservation organization (founded 1903). Akron Zoo provides financial support to monitor white-cheeked gibbon populations in Vietnam through training rangers and local communities to remove snares and combat poaching.
• Red Panda NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld leader in red panda conservation. Akron Zoo helped fund capacity-building training for 28 Forest Guardians in western Nepal who monitor and protect red panda habitats and educate communities.
• Red Wolf CoalitioncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization advocating for long-term survival of American Red Wolf populations through local community education and public involvement. Akron Zoo is one of 40+ AZA-accredited zoos helping re-establish the species.
• Sylvan Heights Bird ParkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for critically endangered white-winged wood duck conservation research. Sylvan Heights hosts a large percentage of the North American population of white-winged wood ducks.
• Hiram CollegecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research partnership with Akron Zoo staff and students to study white-winged wood duck susceptibility to Mycobacterium avium disease, which shortens lifespans and decreases breeding success.
• Durrell Wildlife Conservation TrustcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal conservation organization that started Cans for Corridors in 2002. Akron Zoo partners with Durrell to fund tree corridor restoration in the Brazilian rainforest.
• IPE (Brazil)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBrazilian non-profit organization that uses Cans for Corridors funds to strategically plant native trees and reestablish tree corridors in the Brazilian rainforest. One tree costs 75 cents (equivalent of 45-50 aluminum cans).
• American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAkron Zoo Chapter of AAZK coordinates the Cans for Corridors recycling program at the zoo, collecting aluminum cans to fund rainforest restoration.
• SPOTD (Save and Protect Ohio Turtle Diversity)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMulti-organization collaboration including Akron Zoo, Cleveland Metroparks, Cuyahoga Valley National Park, EnviroScience, Geauga Park District, Greater Cleveland Aquarium, Gregory Lipps LLC, Lake Metroparks, USDA Wildlife Services, and Wild4Ever working to rescue, rehabilitate, and reintroduce spotted turtles.
• Cleveland MetroparkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in SPOTD committee for spotted turtle conservation, rescue from black market, and re-release into Ohio wild habitats.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal agency collaborating on Red Wolf Recovery Plan and North American Turtle SAFE program for spotted turtle conservation and reintroduction.
• Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState agency partner in SPOTD committee and North American Turtle SAFE program for spotted turtle rescue and wild re-release.
• Lights Out OhiocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization working with local building managers to modify lighting and reflective surfaces to reduce dangers to migrating birds. Akron Zoo helped establish Akron-Canton branch in 2018 and runs volunteer collision monitoring efforts.
• National Geographic SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeveloped FieldScope online data entry, mapping and analysis platform for FrogWatch USA citizen science program. Akron Zoo assumed national management of FrogWatch USA in 2022.
• Chicago Botanic Garden (Citizen Science Academy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides online professional development resources for educators supporting Citizen Science projects including FrogWatch USA, focusing on ecology and environmental sciences.
• Audubon SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual Christmas Bird Count organization. The zoo works with Audubon Society to organize a counting group in the Akron region every December.
• FrogWatch USA Chapter NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork of 140+ chapters across the United States hosted at AZA-accredited zoos, aquariums, nature centers, and like-minded organizations. Akron Zoo is national managing organization since 2022.
• Stark ParksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOhio FrogWatch USA chapter partner rehabilitating injured birds found during Lights Out monitoring efforts.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccreditation and professional organization dedicated to conservation, education, and science. Akron Zoo is AZA-accredited and participates in 41 Species Survival Plans.
• American Public Gardens Association (APGA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProfessional membership organization for public gardens. Akron Zoo holds membership in APGA.
• Akron-Canton AirportminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBuildings enrolled in Lights Out program with dim night lighting and decorative window treatments to make glass more visible to migrating birds.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cleveland Metroparks Zoo: A directly comparable AZA-accredited zoo in Northeast Ohio (~40 miles from Akron), also in the Cleveland-Akron media market and even co-partnered with Akron Zoo on SPOTD turtle conservation. Closest direct peer in geography, scale tier, and accreditation profile.
• Columbus Zoo and Aquarium: Ohio-based AZA-accredited zoological park with similar education, conservation, and special-event programming. Akron Zoo and Columbus Zoo also collaborate on the Plastic Free July initiative, evidencing tight functional overlap in mission and operating model.
• Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: Another major Ohio AZA-accredited zoo combining animal exhibition with botanical garden programming (Akron Zoo is also an APGA member). Highly comparable in mission mix of conservation, education, and premium guest experiences.
• Toledo Zoo & Aquarium: A mid-sized Ohio AZA-accredited zoological park that also balances accreditation standards with regional visitor programming. Comparable in scale band and mix of conservation, education, and seasonal events.
• Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium: AZA-accredited zoo-aquarium combination within a few hours' drive of Akron. Operates the same mix of admission-based general visitation, memberships, premium experiences, and conservation programming.
• Detroit Zoo: AZA-accredited regional zoological park within driving distance of Akron with comparable member programs, premium experiences, and conservation partnerships. Direct competitor for regional visitor day-trips and memberships.
• Como Park Zoo & Conservatory: A free-admission zoo with paid experiences and exhibits, similar mid-tier scale and educational mission. Useful peer benchmark for how a smaller zoo monetizes premium experiences versus gate revenue.

Broad incumbents

• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA): The umbrella accreditor and trade body for the entire U.S. zoo/aquarium industry. Akron Zoo is both a member and an outsourced national program manager (FrogWatch USA), making AZA a structural stakeholder rather than a competitor.
• Smithsonian's National Zoo: A large federally chartered zoological institution sharing AZA accreditation, SSP participation, and conservation-research orientation. Sets the conservation-program standard that mid-tier zoos like Akron benchmark against.

Regional players

• Greater Cleveland Aquarium: Aquarium-only attraction in Northeast Ohio that is both an SPOTD conservation co-partner and a regional substitute experience for Akron-area families. Relevant for benchmarking Aquarium-style premium experiences in the same catchment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/AkronZoo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/akronzoo
• Facebookfacebook.com/AkronZoo
• Instagraminstagram.com/akronzoo
• TikToktiktok.com/@akronzoo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/akron-zoo

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Akron Zoo