Wildlife Learning Center

What Wildlife Learning Center does

Wildlife Learning Center, operating under its legal name Wildlife Learning and Conservation Center (WLCC), is a nonprofit zoological park and wildlife sanctuary founded in 2007 by David Riherd and Paul Hahn in Sylmar, California. The organization occupies a 1-acre site in the San Fernando Valley and provides lifetime care to more than 100 displaced, rescued, and zoo-born wild animals. It functions simultaneously as an active participant in Association of Zoos and Aquariums-managed Species Survival Plans covering two-toed sloth, three-banded armadillo, and North American porcupine, as a 2024 coalition member of the Southern California Wildlife Confiscations Network with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and as an educational zoological park open daily to the public at 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Revenue is generated through a layered portfolio of on-site experiences and outreach: general admission ($14 for children, seniors, teachers, and military; $16 for adults; free under age 3), biologist-led tours (Zoofari at $165 and Adventure at $350 for up to five participants, plus per-person add-ons), individual animal encounters (Sloth Social $200, Porcupine Dining Time $80, Snake Soiree $60, Armfulla-dillo $50, Tortoise Time), birthday parties (Picnic Safari $500, Celebrate at the Center $675 with a $150 deposit), and summer camps for ages 6–8 and 9–12. School outreach is sold as Biodiversity Bundle at $600 plus travel and Reptiles & Friends at $425 plus travel, both aligned to California Academic Standards. A philanthropic layer adds three-tier animal sponsorships ($50, $100, $250), monthly giving ($5–$50), one-time and planned gifts, and a $20 lifetime Species Spotlight digital video program. The operating core is roughly four to five paid staff (Founder David Riherd plus biologists) supplemented by unpaid interns and docent and biologist volunteers; there is no proprietary software, mobile app, or AI system, and distribution is overwhelmingly physical within Southern California.

Strategic positioning combines an unusual regulatory role (housing wildlife confiscated at U.S. ports of entry) with a community-led operating model in which unpaid interns and docents are integral to delivery, creating a defensible niche as a small, accredited conservation-focused facility rather than competing on scale with larger regional zoos.

Name

Wildlife Learning Center

Legal name

Wildlife Learning and Conservation Center

Website

https://wildlifelearningcenter.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Wildlife Learning Center is a nonprofit zoological park in Sylmar, California, founded in 2007 to provide lifetime care to more than 100 rescued wild animals while delivering hands-on life sciences education through daily admission, biologist-led tours, animal encounters, school outreach programs, and summer camps.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoological Park and Wildlife Education

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213), Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (712190), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (712130)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Sanctuaries & Rescue Centers (Visitor Operations) (THAAAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL), Wildlife Interpretation & Education Centers (Visitor Centers, Museums) (THAAAFAG), Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC)

Keywords

• Wildlife education programs
• Animal sanctuary services
• Interactive zoo tours
• School science outreach
• Children's summer camps

Headquarters

HQ city

Sylmar

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. General Admission: Daily admission fees for visitors to the zoological park. Adults $16, Children $14, Seniors/Teachers/Military $14, Children under 3 free.
2. Private Tours: Adventure Tours ($350 for up to 5 participants, $52 additional) and Zoofari Tours ($165 for up to 5 participants, $20 additional) include guided experiences with biologists.
3. Individual Animal Experiences: Up-close encounters with specific animals including Sloth Social ($200), Porcupine Dining Time ($80), Snake Soiree ($60), Armfulla-dillo ($50), and Tortoise Time.
4. Birthday Parties: Celebrate at the Center ($675) includes up to 30 guests with animal presentation and pavilion; Picnic Safari ($500) includes up to 20 guests with 20-minute animal presentation.
5. Donations: One-time and monthly donations via PayPal. Monthly giving options at $5, $10, $25, $50 per month. Also accepts planned giving, bequests, securities, real estate, and life insurance donations.
6. Animal Sponsorships: Angel Sponsorship ($50) includes certificate and photo card; Guardian Sponsorship ($100) includes certificate, photo card, and stuffed animal; Shepherd Sponsorship ($250) includes certificate, photo card, stuffed animal, and annual family pass.
7. Species Spotlight Program: Educational video program ($20 lifetime access) with seven wildlife videos, coloring book, worksheets, and world map. Proceeds go to animal care.
8. Outreach Programs: Biodiversity Bundle ($600 + travel) and Reptiles & Friends ($425 + travel) bring animals to schools and events.
9. Summer Camps: ZooKeepers (ages 9-12) and ZooKids (ages 6-8) week-long camps during summer. Currently filled with waitlists closed.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Wildlife Learning Center operates a nonprofit zoological park in Sylmar, California delivering hands-on wildlife experiences, life sciences education, and lifelong sanctuary for over 100 displaced, rescued, and zoo-born wild animals. The center monetizes general daily admission, biologist-led private tours (Adventure Tour, Zoofari Tour), individual animal encounters (Sloth Social, Porcupine Dining Time, Snake Soiree, Armfulla-dillo, Tortoise Time), birthday party packages, summer camps for children, school outreach aligned with California science standards, three-tier animal sponsorships, monthly giving programs, and the Species Spotlight digital education program.

Product overview

Wildlife Learning Center is a zoological park offering a portfolio of visitor experiences, educational programs, and sponsorship opportunities centered on animal conservation. The core visitor experience is General Admission access to view over 100 displaced, rescued, and zoo-born animals in a natural olive grove setting. Premium offerings include Private Interactive Tours (Adventure Tour and Zoofari Tour) and Individual Animal Experiences (Sloth Social, Porcupine Dining Time, Snake Soiree, Armfulla-dillo, and Tortoise Time). The center offers Birthday Parties (Celebrate at the Center and Picnic Safari tiers) and Summer Camps (ZooKeepers for ages 9-12 and ZooKids for ages 6-8). Conservation supporters can purchase Animal Sponsorships at Angel ($50), Guardian ($100), or Shepherd ($250) levels, or contribute through Monthly Giving programs. Educational outreach includes on-site School Programs, Outreach Programs (Biodiversity Bundle and Reptiles & Friends), and the Species Spotlight digital video program. The center also offers volunteer and internship programs for individuals seeking hands-on animal care and education experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Admission Daily admission to the Wildlife Learning Center zoological park for visitors to view over 100 displaced, rescued, and zoo-born wild animals exhibited in a natural olive grove setting in Sylmar, California. Open Mondays through Sundays, 10am to 5pm, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. Advanced reservations recommended.
• Adventure Tour A 90-minute guided tour with a biologist offering hands-on animal interactions including meeting a sloth, touching a reptile, feeding a porcupine, meeting a tortoise, and choosing an additional experience with lemurs, hedgehog, or armadillo. Priced at $350 for up to 5 participants. General admission included.
• Zoofari Tour A 45-minute guided tour with an opportunity to meet an animal up-close and personal, choosing from touching an armadillo or touching a snake. Priced at $165 for up to 5 participants.
• Sloth Social An individual animal experience where visitors enter the sloth enclosure to meet the animal, learn about rainforest adaptations, and take photos. Priced at $200 for groups of 1-5.
• Porcupine Dining Time An experience where visitors enter the North American porcupine habitat to feed them snacks while learning about their protective quills. Priced at $80 for groups of 1-5.
• Snake Soiree An up-close experience with an 8-foot Red-tailed Boa where visitors feel its smooth, scaly skin and learn about its color pattern. Priced at $60 for groups of 1-5.
• Armfulla-dillo An experience to meet and touch a three-banded armadillo's protective armor covering while learning about this unique mammal. Priced at $50 for groups of 1-5.
• Tortoise Time An experience where visitors enter the tortoise pen, learn about these fascinating creatures, and offer them their favorite snacks.
• Birthday Party - Celebrate at the Center A 2.5-hour birthday celebration including up to 30 guests, a 45-minute animal presentation, reserved pavilion with tables and chairs, and access to explore WLC. Priced at $675 with a $150 deposit.
• Birthday Party - Picnic Safari A birthday celebration including up to 20 guests, a 20-minute animal presentation, and reserved picnic area. Priced at $500.
• ZooKeepers Summer Camp Summer camp for children ages 9-12 providing introduction to working with various animal species, including learning about animal groups, diets, care, and enrichment.
• ZooKids Summer Camp Summer camp for children ages 6-8 exploring wildlife diversity, animal diets, habitats, and enrichment through fun activities.
• Animal Sponsorships Program to sponsor specific animals at WLC with three tiers: Angel ($50), Guardian ($100), and Shepherd ($250), each including certificates, photo cards, and progressively more benefits including stuffed animals and annual family passes.
• Biodiversity Bundle Outreach Program A one-hour outreach presentation bringing wildlife and California Academic Standards for Science to schools, featuring a North American Porcupine, Lizard, Bird, Tortoise, two Small Mammals, Bug or Amphibian, and Snake. Priced at $600 plus travel fees.
• Reptiles & Friends Outreach Program A one-hour outreach presentation featuring a Tortoise, two Lizards, Walking Stick, two Snakes, Amphibian, and a Madagascar Hissing Cockroach. Priced at $425 plus travel fees.
• Species Spotlight An educational video program for children featuring seven wildlife videos, an animal coloring book, worksheets, and a wildlife world map. Lifetime access available for a $20 donation, with 100% of proceeds going to animal care.

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Southern California Wildlife Confiscations NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024First-of-its-kind program in partnership with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Wildlife Learning Center joined as a coalition member to provide immediate medical care and housing for wildlife smuggled through U.S. ports of entry. Operates under the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007WLCC participates in Species Survival Plans (SSP) managed by AZA, which cooperatively manages threatened and endangered species within AZA-accredited zoos, certified facilities, and sustainability partners. SSP programs preserve species from extinction by maintaining sustainable and genetically diverse populations.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• STAR Eco Station: A small Culver City (Los Angeles) wildlife education and conservation nonprofit that hosts school programs and animal encounters. Operates on a similar intimate, education-focused scale in the same Southern California market, directly competing for school outreach and family visitors.
• Lindsay Wildlife Experience: Walnut Creek, California nonprofit combining a wildlife hospital with public education programming and animal ambassadors. Comparable nonprofit model with on-site wildlife encounters, school programs, and a strong volunteer/education identity.
• California Wolf Center: Julian, California nonprofit focused on wolf conservation with public education programs and tours. Similar nonprofit wildlife conservation model with on-site intimate experiences and an AZA-affiliated volunteer pipeline.
• Santa Barbara Wildlife Care Network: Santa Barbara-based wildlife rehabilitation and education nonprofit. Comparable Southern California nonprofit combining wildlife care with public education and volunteer engagement, though focused more on rehabilitation than resident exhibits.

Broad incumbents

• The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens: AZA-accredited zoo and botanical garden in Palm Desert, California offering animal encounters, school programming, and conservation engagement. Larger and broader in scope than WLC, but operates the same combination of intimate experiences, education, and AZA SSP participation.
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Large accredited zoological institution near San Diego with premium animal experiences, school programs, and conservation partnerships. Competes for Southern California family and tourist wildlife visit occasions; broader portfolio but overlapping audience.
• LA Zoo: Greater Los Angeles's primary AZA-accredited zoo, located within an hour of WLC. Offers general admission, school programs, and member experiences, competing head-to-head with WLC for local families and school field trips.

Emerging players

• Wildlife Safari: Winston, Oregon drive-through wildlife park with hands-on education programs and internship pipelines for zoo professionals. Comparable mid-sized wildlife education facility with similar internship/training ethos to WLC.
• OdySea Aquarium: Large Scottsdale, Arizona aquarium and animal encounter venue offering premium interactive experiences, school programs, and birthday parties. Comparable premium experience pricing model (e.g., animal encounters and group events) though focused on marine life.

Regional players

• Project Wildlife (San Diego Humane Society): San Diego's largest wildlife rehabilitation and education organization, operating as a program of San Diego Humane Society. Provides a comparable nonprofit wildlife education and care model in the Southern California region.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/wlc_wildlife
• Facebookfacebook.com/wildlifelearningcenter

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Wildlife Learning Center