What Zoo Ostrava does

Zoo Ostrava is a municipal zoological garden and botanical park located in Ostrava, Czech Republic, operated as a contributory organization (příspěvková organizace) under the Statutory City of Ostrava. Established in the mid-twentieth century and operating across approximately 100 hectares, it is the second-largest zoo in the Czech Republic by area and houses nearly 4,000 animals representing over 450 species. The institution serves regional families, school groups, and domestic and cross-border tourists (notably from Poland and Ukraine), with the site also functioning as a botanical park.

The zoo's product surface spans admission ticketing (sold online via the Reenio platform and on-site), annual membership, an animal adoption program, educational programming for schools, charity fundraising events, on-site food and retail, and guided experiences such as train rides. Notable capital assets include the Pavilion of Evolution (opened 2015), the Wanderu primate exhibit and Vadtha ni gibbon exhibit (both opened in 2022), and a planned Amphibiarium (scheduled for 2026). Underlying technology is conventional for the sector: a standard content-managed multilingual website (Czech, Polish, English, Ukrainian), e-commerce ticketing, and operational management systems for animal care.

Zoo Ostrava's business model blends earned revenue (tickets, ancillary on-site spending, adoption fees, event income) with non-earned funding streams (municipal subsidies from the City of Ostrava and Moravskoslezský kraj, corporate sponsorship from Komerční banka, Radegast, and innogy, and donations). Daily operating costs exceed 600,000 CZK, implying an annualized cost base in the high hundreds of millions of Czech koruna. A 5 CZK per-entry conservation contribution introduced in late 2024 generated 3.11M CZK supporting 18 conservation projects, illustrating the model's reliance on diversified public, corporate, and visitor funding channels. The organization is a member of EAZA, WAZA, IUCN, and UCSZOO, embedding it in international breeding and conservation networks.

Name

Zoo Ostrava

Legal name

Zoologická zahrada a botanický park Ostrava, p.o.

Website

https://zoo-ostrava.cz

Company type

Private

Founded year

1950

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Zoo Ostrava is a municipal zoological garden and botanical park in Ostrava, Czech Republic, and the country's second-largest zoo by area, serving families, school groups, and regional tourists with nearly 4,000 animals, educational programs, conservation initiatives, and ancillary visitor services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoological Garden & Botanical Park

NAICS

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

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE), Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Parks & Reserves (Visitor Operations) (THAAAAAG), Guided Wildlife Safaris & Game Drives (Sanctuary/Reserve-Based) (THAAAFAF)

Keywords

• Zoological garden services
• Wildlife conservation programs
• Botanical park attractions
• Educational zoo programs
• Animal adoption services

Headquarters

HQ city

Ostrava

HQ country

Czechia

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Zoo Shop (E-shop): Souvenirs, plush animals, and promotional items. Also virtual food purchases for zoo kitchen supporting animal care.
2. Parking Fees: Self-service parking system with fees for personal vehicles (100 CZK) and free parking for disabled badge holders.
3. Train/Safari Express Rides: Safari Express miniature train rides within the zoo for 50 CZK per person
4. Public Collection Donations: General donations to improve animal living conditions and fund conservation projects
5. Venue Rental: Wedding ceremonies and lecture hall rentals available in the zoo grounds
6. Admission Tickets: Visitors pay entrance fees to access the zoo. Pricing varies by season (summer/winter), age category, and ticket type (single vs annual pass). Revenue is supplemented by donations through the 5 CZK per visitor conservation contribution.
7. Animal Adoption Program: Symbolic animal adoptions starting at 500 CZK per year, providing donors with certificates, photos, and invitations to donor events. Adoptive parents listed on website and recognition boards.
8. Food Service: Restaurant Saola offers food and beverages. Snack stands operate seasonally throughout the zoo.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Zoo Ostrava operates a zoological garden and botanical park spanning approximately 100 hectares, housing nearly 4,000 animals across 450+ species. The core offering centers on visitor admission (daily tickets and annual passes), supported by animal encounters, conservation programs, botanical trails, and educational services. Additional revenue comes from on-site dining (Restaurant Saola), a souvenir e-shop, the Safari Express train ride, parking, venue rentals, and a symbolic animal adoption program.

Product overview

Zoo Ostrava (Zoologická zahrada a botanický park Ostrava) is a zoological garden and botanical park operated as a public institution by the City of Ostrava. It is the second-largest zoo in the Czech Republic by area, housing nearly 5,000 animals across 450 species. The zoo operates as a single unified visitor attraction offering admission tickets (daily and annual passes), animal adoption programs, school educational services, and visitor experiences including the Safari Express train, guided tours, and evening tours. Supporting services include the Saola restaurant, an e-shop for souvenirs and virtual animal food supplies, and annual charity runs supporting conservation projects. The zoo also maintains extensive botanical park trails spanning 6 km and participates in international conservation programs. The core offering centers on visitor admission combined with educational and conservation-focused experiences rather than a modular software platform architecture.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zoo Admission Tickets Day admission tickets to Zoo Ostrava with seasonal pricing (summer/winter rates). Adults 180 CZK/130 CZK, children 120 CZK/80 CZK, with discounts for students, seniors, and families.
• Annual Passes (Permanentky) Annual passes valid for one year from purchase date. Adult annual pass 950 CZK, children's annual pass 550 CZK. Non-transferable with ID verification required.
• Saola Restaurant Family restaurant with outdoor terrace overlooking animal enclosures. Open daily from 10:00 until zoo closing. Offers wide selection of food and beverages.
• Animal Adoption Program Symbolic animal adoption program where supporters contribute financially to animal care. Minimum donation 500 CZK/year. Adopters receive certificate, photo, acknowledgment on website, and invitations to donor events.
• School Educational Programs Educational programs for schools including guided tours, worksheets, competitions, and conferences. Tailored for kindergarten through secondary school levels, with free entry for teachers based on group size.
• Safari Express Train Ride Scenic train ride through the zoo grounds from one end to the other. Full fare 50 CZK, ZTP holders 10 CZK, ZTP/P holders free.
• Charity Runs Annual charity runs with proceeds supporting conservation projects. Past runs include events for saola, langurs, turtles, corals, weavers, pangolins, gibbons, and lemurs. Total raised over 1.7 million CZK.
• Guided Tours and Experiences Various guided experiences including evening tours, animal feeding presentations, greenhouse tours, and rhododendron park tours.
• Souvenir Shop Gift shop offering promotional items, plush animals, and souvenirs at the zoo entrance.
• Parking Services Self-service parking system with P1, P2, P3 lots and parking garage; 100 CZK for cars and motorcycles, free for disabled badge holders.
• Venue Rental Wedding ceremonies and lecture hall rentals available in the zoo grounds.
• Lecture Hall Rental Rental of the on-site lecture hall for conferences and educational events.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 4,000 animals across 450+ species
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

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

• Moravskoslezský kraj (Moravian-Silesian Region)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMain partner providing regional government support for the zoo as a major regional attraction.
• RadegastmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerMain partner - regional brewery brand contributing to zoo operations and marketing.
• innogyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnergy company partner supporting zoo operations.
• Hit Rádio OrionminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional radio station partner for marketing and awareness campaigns.
• Lesy ČR (Forests of the Czech Republic)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState forest enterprise partner in conservation and environmental initiatives.
• Černá loukaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional partner organization in Ostrava for joint events and initiatives.
• EAZA (European Association of Zoos and Aquaria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZoo Ostrava is an active member participating in multiple EAZA conservation campaigns and breeding programs for endangered species.
• WAZA (World Association of Zoos and Aquariums)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational association supporting global conservation efforts and best practices in zoo management.
• IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal authority on conservation status of species, providing framework for zoo conservation programs.
• UCSZOO (Union of Czech and Slovak Zoos)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational zoo association coordinating breeding programs and conservation initiatives.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Zoo Prague (Zoologická zahrada hl. m. Prahy): Czech Republic's flagship zoo, located in the capital. Directly comparable national zoo competing for domestic and Central European visitors, membership in EAZA/WAZA, and conservation donors.
• Zoo Dvůr Králové: Czech regional zoo with a strong safari/African large-mammal focus and active EAZA conservation programs. Comparable in scale and Czech-market visitor dynamic.
• Zoo Brno: Another major Czech municipal zoo with similar size, school-program focus, and city-funded operating model. Direct competitor for Czech family visitation.
• Zoo Liberec: Oldest zoo in the Czech Republic, similar municipal ownership structure and family/education positioning. Comparable in scale and operating model.

Broad incumbents

• Zoo Leipzig: One of Europe's most modern and visited zoos with heavy investment in immersive exhibits (Gondwanaland, Pongoland). Comparable conservation mission and tropical-pavilion approach (similar to Zoo Ostrava's Pavilion of Evolution).
• Zoo Berlin: Largest zoo in Germany and a global conservation leader with comparable species collection scale, EAZA breeding programs, and member-based revenue model.
• Tiergarten Schönbrunn (Vienna Zoo): World's oldest zoo with similar imperial-park botanical heritage, EAZA membership, and family/tourist positioning. Close geographic peer in the Central European market.
• Chester Zoo: UK's leading zoo charity with extensive conservation programs and immersive habitats. Comparable in mission and adoption/sponsorship donor model.
• Tierpark Berlin: Large European zoological park with broad species collection and conservation focus, operated as a public institution similar to Zoo Ostrava's municipal model.

Regional players

• Wrocław Zoo: Major Polish zoo with modern aquarium and Afrykarium complex. Comparable scale and Polish visitor overlap with Zoo Ostrava's Polish-language audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ZOOOstrava
• Facebookfacebook.com/ukradena.divocina
• Instagraminstagram.com/zooostrava

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Zoo Ostrava