What Dublin Zoo does

Dublin Zoo is a not-for-profit conservation charity operating as The Zoological Society of Ireland (a company limited by guarantee, registered charity Number 20003715). Founded on 1 September 1831, it is Ireland's principal zoological institution, occupying 28 hectares in Phoenix Park, Dublin, and housing over 400 animals across 70 species in naturalistic habitats. The organisation's core business is operating a physical visitor attraction that welcomes over one million visitors per year and engages approximately 60,000 learners annually through conservation education programmes spanning pre-school through secondary school, plus teacher professional development.

The zoo's commercial offering spans multiple revenue streams: Day Tickets and Flexi Tickets (one-time purchases valid for 2 months), Annual Passes (subscription, unlimited entry for 12 months), Seasonal Events (Wild Lights winter light show, Animal Bricktacular summer exhibition of 40+ LEGO brick animal sculptures), Education Programmes (Summer Camps €155–€170, Teacher Courses €60), Active Events (Run for Wildlife supporting Save the Rhino International), and the Zootique retail operation (online and on-site gift shop selling branded merchandise, plush toys, Wild Wear clothing, and Fahlo wildlife tracking bracelets). Distribution is direct-to-consumer through the zoo's official ticketing portal (tickets.dublinzoo.ie), on-site retail, group bookings (10+ visitors), and venue hire for corporate and private events. Third-party ticket resale is explicitly prohibited. Because Dublin Zoo receives no statutory funding, 100% of every euro spent is reinvested into animal care, habitat preservation, and 30+ global conservation partnerships.

The organisation participates in European Endangered Species Programmes (EEPs) for species including Asian elephants, Asian lions, and Humboldt penguins, and hosts the Centre for Species Survival: Ireland (CSS Ireland), Ireland's national hub for species conservation science under the IUCN global network, located at the historic Society House on the zoo grounds. It is the first zoo in Ireland certified by the Global Humane Society, and holds memberships in BIAZA, EAZA, and WAZA. The Dublin Zoo 200 strategic 10-year plan is oriented toward the organisation's bicentennial in 2031, with the publicly available Animal Welfare Master Plan as its operating backbone.

Name

Dublin Zoo

Legal name

The Zoological Society of Ireland (Company limited by Guarantee)

Website

https://dublinzoo.ie

Company type

Private

Founded year

1831

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Dublin Zoo is Ireland's principal not-for-profit zoological institution and conservation charity, operating a 28-hectare Phoenix Park site with over 400 animals across 70 species, serving more than one million annual visitors and 60,000 learners through direct-to-consumer ticketing, events, education, and the Zootique retail operation.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoological Park and Wildlife Conservation

NAICS

Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industry

Zoo & Aquarium Parks (Ticketed Wildlife Attractions) (THAJAEAE)

Keywords

• Wildlife conservation education
• Zoo admission services
• Animal welfare programs
• Conservation charity operations
• Family visitor attraction

Headquarters

HQ city

Dublin

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Admission Tickets: Day entry tickets and flexi tickets (valid within 2 months) sold through the official ticketing portal. This is the primary revenue driver, with 100% of every euro spent at Dublin Zoo directly supporting conservation work.
2. Annual Passes: Unlimited entry passes offering recurring revenue from repeat visitors.
3. Gift Shop (Zootique): Online and on-site retail sales including cuddly toys, zoovenirs, books, stationery, Wild Wear clothing, and Fahlo wildlife tracking bracelets. Dublin Zoo is a not-for-profit organisation that does not receive statutory funding and relies on gate receipts and gift shop sales.
4. Events and Workshops: Revenue from special events like Bricktacular, Run for Wildlife, Summer Camps for children aged 7-12, and Primary Teachers' Summer Courses.
5. Wild Lights: Seasonal winter light event providing additional revenue during off-peak season.
6. Gift Cards: Physical gift cards valid for five calendar years from purchase date, usable for tickets, annual passes, and gift shops.
7. Adoption Packs: Animal adoption packages available for purchase to support wildlife conservation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Dublin Zoo is a not-for-profit zoological park in Phoenix Park, Dublin, housing over 400 animals across 70 species in naturalistic habitats. It sells admission tickets, annual passes, and flexi tickets through its official ticketing portal, supplemented by seasonal events (Wild Lights, Animal Bricktacular), educational programmes, private venue hire, and an online and on-site gift shop. 100% of revenue is directed to conservation work.

Product overview

Dublin Zoo is a conservation charity operating as a traditional zoo with a diverse portfolio of visitor experiences and educational offerings. The core product is zoo admission through Day Tickets, Annual Passes, and Flexi Tickets. Adjacent offerings include seasonal events (Wild Lights, Animal Bricktacular), educational programs (Summer Camps, Teacher Courses, School Tours), active events (Run for Wildlife), and venue hire services. The Zootique online gift shop sells branded merchandise including plush animals, clothing, books, and stationery. All revenue supports Dublin Zoo's conservation mission as a not-for-profit organisation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Wild Lights: Seasonal winter light event featuring illuminated animal sculptures and displays
• Dublin Zootique
• Run for Wildlife
• Summer Camps

Products and services

• Day Tickets Standard admission tickets to Dublin Zoo valid for a specific date, with best-value pricing when booked online in advance and direct-to-consumer online booking only.
• Annual Passes Subscription-based unlimited admission to Dublin Zoo for 12 months from first visit, providing recurring access for frequent visitors and families.
• Flexi Tickets Flexible admission tickets valid anytime within 2 months of purchase with no specific date selection required at booking.
• Summer Camps Week-long conservation-themed educational day camps for children aged 7-12 years, running July-August with hands-on activities, craft projects, and zoo exploration; discounted for annual pass holders.
• Primary Teachers' Summer Course Department of Education-approved week-long professional development course for primary school teachers on conservation education and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), awarding EPV days upon completion.
• Run for Wildlife Annual 3km fun run event held inside Dublin Zoo before public opening, including t-shirt, medal, and full-day zoo admission; proceeds support Save the Rhino International.
• Wild Lights Seasonal winter light show featuring illuminated lantern displays throughout the zoo grounds, with themed installations changing each year.
• Animal Bricktacular Limited-time summer exhibition featuring over 40 life-sized LEGO brick animal sculptures built from 3.5 million bricks, included with standard zoo admission.
• Bricktacular Workshops Interactive LEGO brick-building workshops where participants build, play, and create alongside the Animal Bricktacular exhibition, scheduled on multiple dates during summer 2026.
• Private Events and Venue Hire Venue hire services for corporate events, private functions, birthday parties, and group gatherings hosted in Dublin Zoo's unique conservation-themed settings.
• Group Visits Coordinated group booking service for groups of 10 or more visitors with a dedicated booking process and group pricing.
• Zootique (Dublin Zoo Gift Shop) Online and on-site gift shop selling Dublin Zoo merchandise including plush animals, zoovenirs, books, stationery, Wild Wear clothing, and gift cards, with revenue supporting the conservation mission.
• Gift Cards Physical gift cards available in multiple denominations (€10 to €245), valid for 5 calendar years and redeemable against tickets, annual passes, and gift shop purchases.
• Adoption Packs Symbolic animal adoption packages purchased to support Dublin Zoo's conservation work, including adoption certificates and related conservation materials.
• Conservation Education Programmes Curriculum-linked conservation education services including school tours, primary and secondary school programmes, pre-school programmes, and education workshops, reaching approximately 60,000 learners annually.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1 million visitors annually experience Dublin Zoo's conservation message
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Global Humane SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDublin Zoo became officially certified by Global Humane Society, a global acknowledgement confirming the high standards of welfare and care maintained at the zoo. This is the first Irish zoo to achieve this certification.
• British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDublin Zoo is a member of BIAZA, participating in regional zoo industry standards, best practices, and awards programmes including the 2026 BIAZA Honours.
• European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDublin Zoo participates in EAZA European Endangered Species Programmes (EEP) for species including Asian elephants, actively contributing to managed breeding and conservation efforts across Europe.
• World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDublin Zoo is connected to WAZA's global network of zoos working to protect biodiversity and advance conservation best practices worldwide.
• Centre for Species Survival: Ireland (CSS Ireland)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBased at Dublin Zoo's historic Society House, CSS Ireland is part of IUCN's global network of Centres for Species Survival. It serves as Ireland's national hub for species conservation science, connecting researchers, conservationists, and policymakers with international experts.
• SpheniscominorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDublin Zoo provides funding for Humboldt penguin conservation through Sphenisco, which works to protect Humboldt penguins in their natural habitat in Peru and Chile.
• Wildlife Trust of IndiaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDublin Zoo supports the Wildlife Trust of India, which is involved in the conservation of Asian elephants in South and Southeast Asia, contributing to habitat protection and anti-poaching efforts.
• Save the Rhino InternationalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerThe 2026 Run for Wildlife event supports Save the Rhino International, with every ticket sold helping to protect rhinos around the world.
• Lemur Conservation Association (AEECL)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDublin Zoo has been supporting AEECL since 2022, a group of 30 European zoos working to support community-driven lemur conservation in and around Sahamalaza-Iles Radama National Park in northwest Madagascar, including reforestation programmes and community projects.
• SSE AirtricityminorOthersSSE Airtricity is Dublin Zoo's official sustainability partner, supporting the zoo's environmental initiatives and sustainability goals.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Twycross Zoo: East Midlands charity zoo with BIAZA/EAZA membership, conservation and education programmes, and a primate-specialist collection. Comparable on UK charity zoo operations and primary family/education audience.
• Paignton Zoo: Devon-based charity zoo operated by Whitley Wildlife Conservation Trust, with EEP participation, education programmes, and conservation partnerships. Comparable in scale, charity governance, and BIAZA/EAZA accreditation profile.
• Chester Zoo: UK charity zoo and one of the largest UK/Ireland zoological collections, operating on a similar conservation-charity model with membership accreditation (BIAZA, EAZA, WAZA), large-scale education programmes, and comparable visitor scale. Most direct comparable on operations, mission, and revenue mix.
• Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (Edinburgh Zoo & Highland Wildlife Park): Scottish charity operating Edinburgh Zoo and Highland Wildlife Park with conservation science, EEP participation, and education programmes. Directly comparable on governance structure, conservation focus, and UK/Ireland tourism catchment.
• Fota Wildlife Park: Ireland-based zoological park in Cork operated as a not-for-profit with conservation, education, and breeding programmes. Closest domestic Irish peer in terms of geography, governance structure, and visitor proposition.
• Bristol Zoo Project: Charity zoological operation in the Bristol area following the closure of the original Clifton site, now operating a new conservation-focused facility. Comparable on UK charity zoo model, EEP participation, and education-led proposition.
• Zoological Society of London (ZSL London Zoo & Whipsnade Zoo): Operator of London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo under a charitable/conservation structure, running EEP breeding programmes, conservation science, and ticketed visitor experiences. Highly comparable on regulatory membership, conservation mission, and product mix.
• Belfast Zoo: Zoological park in Northern Ireland with similar collection size, BIAZA/EAZA membership, and conservation education focus. Comparable on UK/Ireland all-island tourism catchment and accredited zoo operating model.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/dublinzoo_official
• Xx.com/DublinZoo
• Facebookfacebook.com/DublinZoo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/dublin-zoo

Compliance4 records

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 Dublin Zoo