What Seneca Park Zoo does

Seneca Park Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit zoological park located at 2222 St. Paul Street in Rochester, New York. Founded in 1957 and operated by the Seneca Park Zoo Society in partnership with Monroe County, the zoo is AZA-accredited (since October 2018) and reaches over 600,000 individuals annually through on-site visitation, offsite outreach, and conservation programs. The organization maintains a diverse animal collection including Masai giraffes, polar bears, snow leopards, red pandas, and elephants, and participates in AZA Species Survival Plans and the SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) initiative.

The zoo's commercial offering spans tiered annual memberships from $55 (College Student) to $355 (Otter Circle), gate admissions priced $11–$16 with discounted group and EBT rates, premium animal encounters (Sea Lion Tour, Elephant Encounter, Giraffe Feedings, Rhino Encounter, Savanna Safari), guided tours ($150–$285), ZooCamp programs for ages 3–12, and ZooMobile outreach. Additional revenue streams include food and beverage (Trailside Café, Crater Canteen) and retail (ZooShop, Savanna Outpost) operated by SSA Group, private events and catering, corporate partnerships and sponsorships, and a multi-channel donation program (Zoo Sustainer monthly giving, Forever Wild Society planned giving, ZooParent animal adoption, stock gifts, commemorative bricks).

Distribution is primarily regional through walk-up admissions, online ticketing, and group sales across Western and Upstate New York, complemented by a reciprocal admission network of 150+ AZA zoos. The organization is currently executing the Wilder Vision Capital Campaign, with CambridgeSeven (announced January 2025) designing the Tropics Complex — a planned immersive indoor rainforest featuring species from Madagascar, Borneo, and the Indo-Pacific, positioned as unique in North America upon completion. Community conservation programs include Butterfly Beltway (since 2002), Lake Sturgeon restoration, and citizen science initiatives that have removed more than 2,000 pounds of trash annually from local parks and waterways.

Name

Seneca Park Zoo

Legal name

Seneca Park Zoo Society

Website

https://senecaparkzoo.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Seneca Park Zoo is an AZA-accredited nonprofit zoological park in Rochester, NY, operated by the Seneca Park Zoo Society in partnership with Monroe County. It serves families, schools, and tourists through admissions, tiered memberships, animal experiences, education programs, and conservation initiatives reaching 600,000+ individuals annually.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoo and Wildlife Conservation Services

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

• Zoo admissions
• Wildlife conservation
• Animal encounters
• Conservation education
• Annual memberships

Headquarters

HQ city

Rochester

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Admission Tickets: Gate admission fees ranging from free (children 3 and under, members) to $16 for adults. Additional revenue from online ticket sales with $2 discount per ticket.
2. Memberships: Annual memberships with tiered pricing from $55 (College Student) to $355 (Otter Circle). Provides recurring revenue with benefits including free admission, discounts, and reciprocal zoo access.
3. Donations and Contributions: Tax-deductible donations through various programs including monthly giving (Zoo Sustainer), planned giving (Forever Wild Society), commemorative bricks, stock gifts, and corporate partnerships.
4. Experiences and Tours: Revenue from animal experiences (giraffe feedings, elephant encounters, sea lion encounters), guided tours ($150-$285), and specialized programs.
5. Food and Retail: Trailside Café and Crater Canteen food service, ZooShop merchandise sales, and Savanna Outpost seasonal retail.
6. Private Events and Catering: Corporate events, birthday parties, and milestone celebrations with customized catering and venue rentals.
7. Corporate Partnerships: Event sponsorship, brand partnerships, corporate memberships, and conservation program support from businesses.
8. ZooCamp Programs: Summer camps and day off camps for children ages 3-12, with pricing from $60-$320 per session.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Seneca Park Zoo operates a zoological park offering animal exhibits, paid admission, tiered annual memberships, up-close animal encounters, educational and youth programs, on-site food and retail, and private event hosting. It combines wildlife conservation, AZA-coordinated species survival breeding programs, and public education, reaching over 600,000 individuals annually in the Rochester, NY region.

Product overview

Seneca Park Zoo is a conservation-focused zoo offering a comprehensive visitor experience through multiple interconnected products and services. The core offerings include day admission tickets and annual membership tiers (College Student through Otter Circle), providing free entry and exclusive benefits. Animal encounters and experiences (Sea Lion Tour, Elephant Encounter, Giraffe Feedings, Rhino Encounter, Otter Encounter, Savanna Safari) offer premium up-close interactions. Educational programming spans ZooCamp for children ages 3-12, teen volunteer programs (ZooTeens, Wildlife Action Crew), and children's programs (KinderZoo, Stroller Walkabouts, Insight EdVenture). The zoo provides amenities including Trailside Cafe, Crater Canteen, ZooShop, and seasonal tram service. Group and private events are hosted across multiple venues. Conservation-focused offerings include donations, ZooParent animal adoption, and community programs. A major capital project, the Tropics Complex, is planned as an immersive indoor rainforest experience featuring species from Madagascar, Borneo, and the Indo-Pacific.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZooNooz: The zoo's member magazine and newsletter publication
• ZooCamp
• ZooMobile
• ZooBrew
• Jungle Jog
• Butterfly Beltway
• Partners in Conservation

Products and services

• Zoo Admission / Tickets Day access to the zoo for general visitors with age-segmented pricing ($11-$16), group rates, veterans/military discounts, and Museums for All SNAP pricing at $1.
• Zoo Memberships Tiered annual memberships (College Student, Individual, Couple, Family, Family + Caregiver, Grandparent, Penguin Circle, Otter Circle) offering free admission, early entry, reciprocal zoo discounts, and retail/food discounts.
• Animal Encounters and Experiences Premium up-close interactions including Sea Lion Tour, Elephant Encounter, Giraffe Feedings, Rhino Encounter, Otter Encounter, and Savanna Safari behind-the-scenes tours for visitors and groups.
• Guided Tours 90-minute guided walking tours, Rise & Shine cart tours, Fall Senior Cart Tours, Holiday Magic Cart Tours, and Beginning Bird Watching Tours led by Zoo Naturalists.
• Zoo Tram Seasonal one-way tram service along the outside of the zoo priced at $2 adults / $1 seniors and youth, operational Memorial Day through Labor Day.
• Trailside Café Year-round full-service café located within the zoo grounds offering food and beverages, operated in partnership with SSA Group.
• Crater Canteen Seasonal summer grab-and-go food stand operated by SSA Group during peak visitation months.
• ZooShop and Savanna Outpost Gift shops offering souvenirs, free-trade items, jewelry, animal plush toys, and zoo merchandise; members receive a 10% discount.
• Group Visits and Field Trips Group admission for parties of 10+ with seasonal pricing, boxed-lunch add-ons, and animal presentation add-ons, aligned to NGSS and NY State P-12 Science Learning Standards.
• ZooCamp Summer and day-off camps for children ages 3-12 immersing kids in wildlife, environment, and conservation through nature exploration and animal interactions.
• Private Events Corporate events, company outings, birthday parties, and milestone celebrations hosted at multiple zoo venues with customized catering.
• Donation Programs Multi-channel philanthropic giving including Zoo Sustainer monthly giving, Forever Wild Society planned giving, tribute donations, stock gifts, commemorative bricks, donor-advised funds, and the ZooParent animal adoption program.
• ZooParent Program Symbolic animal adoption program that funds enrichment items for zoo animals; donors receive plush toys and custom wallpaper downloads.
• ZooMobile Mobile outreach program bringing live animals and education to schools, daycare centers, nursing homes, libraries, and community events across Rochester and surrounding areas.
• Teen Programs ZooTeens volunteer program for grades 7-12 ($125 fee with scholarships) and Wildlife Action Crew for ages 13-18, providing conservation education and leadership opportunities.
• Children's Programs KinderZoo for preschoolers, Stroller Walkabouts for young families, Insight EdVenture two-hour experiences, and Trek in the Twilight after-hours events.
• Community Conservation Programs Nature hikes, nature journaling, remediation and park cleanups, biosurveys, and citizen science programs removing over 2,000 pounds of trash annually from local parks and waterways.
• Travel Program Expedition travel program taking guests to biodiverse locations worldwide in partnership with Rewild Safaris.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reaches over 600,000 individuals annually through conservation education and action programs
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

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

• Monroe CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMonroe County operates the zoo in partnership with the Seneca Park Zoo Society. The county provides operational support and infrastructure while the Society handles programming, fundraising, and visitor services. Bob Lee serves as Superintendent of Seneca Park Zoo representing county leadership.
• SSA GroupcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSSA Group manages food service (Trailside Café, Crater Canteen) and retail operations (ZooShop, Savanna Outpost) at the zoo. They handle hiring for these positions and operate independently under partnership agreement.
• Five Star BankminorGTM or Marketing PartnerNew Zoomobile partnership announced February 2026, bringing zoo education programs to Five Star Bank community locations.
• CambridgeSevenmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchitecture firm selected as design consultant for the Tropics Complex and reimagined entry plaza as part of the Wilder Vision Capital Campaign. Announced January 2025.
• Polar Bears InternationalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partner supporting polar bear research and awareness initiatives.
• Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAZA accreditation body that sets standards for zoo operations and coordinates Species Survival Plans (SSP) and SAFE programs. Seneca Park Zoo participates in SSP breeding programs and AZA reciprocal admission network.
• Writers & BooksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Poetry Takes Wing and Water into Words poetry contests celebrating nature and wildlife.
• Golisano Children's HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZooBook partnership bringing virtual zoo experiences to hospitalized children, announced January 2024.
• Rochester General HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for national ape research project, announced February 2018.
• RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership agreement signed May 2017 for collaborative educational programs.
• 1% for the PlanetminorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnvironmental pledge organization that the zoo participates in as a member/partner.
• Museums4AllminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAccessibility initiative providing $1 admission for SNAP beneficiaries through Museums for All program.
• DelMonte Hotel GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate client that hosted private events at the zoo.
• 413 ChurchminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCommunity organization that hosted private events at the zoo.
• DAC GroupminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate client that hosted team events at the zoo.
• URMC Strong Memorial HospitalminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHealthcare organization that hosted large corporate event (1,200 employees) at the zoo.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• St. Louis Zoo: AZA-accredited, free-admission regional zoo renowned for conservation programming and AZA SSP participation. Larger scale but closely comparable on mission alignment, accreditation standing, and community education model.
• Bronx Zoo (Wildlife Conservation Society): One of the largest zoos in the world, operated by the Wildlife Conservation Society. While far larger in scale, it is an AZA-accredited New York State zoo with comparable conservation, education, and membership programs — a benchmark incumbent in the same geography.
• Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden: AZA-accredited, nationally-recognized regional zoo with a mature membership program, capital campaign experience, and deep educational programming. Larger than Seneca Park but comparable as a benchmark for tiered membership pricing and capital project execution.

Direct peers

• Como Park Zoo and Conservatory: Publicly operated zoo and conservatory in St. Paul, MN with free admission model and comparable visitor scale. Directly comparable as a similarly-sized regional zoological attraction with educational and conservation programming.
• Riverside Zoo (Bing)-Cousino Park: Mid-sized regional zoo in Omaha, NE with similar animal collection breadth, education programming, and family-oriented visitor base. Comparable in scale and operational footprint to Seneca Park Zoo.
• Buffalo Zoo: Another AZA-accredited regional zoo in New York State (Buffalo) of comparable scale and operating model. Both are nonprofit societies operating in partnership with municipal entities, with similar mid-tier admission pricing, membership tiers, and conservation programming. Closest geographic and operational comparable.
• Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park: AZA-accredited zoo in Syracuse, NY operated by Friends of the Zoo with comparable attendance scale, membership structure, and educational programming. Directly comparable as another upstate NY regional zoo serving a similar demographic catchment.
• Beardsley Zoo: Connecticut's only AZA-accredited zoo, a similarly-sized regional nonprofit zoo with comparable attendance, membership model, and capital expansion history. Strong operational comparable in terms of scale and audience.

Others

• Rewild Safaris: Travel partner of Seneca Park Zoo running the Zoo's Travel Program to biodiverse locations worldwide. Adjacent/revenue-partner rather than a competitor, but represents a comparable peer in the wildlife expedition travel niche.
• Polar Bears International: Conservation NGO partner of Seneca Park Zoo supporting polar bear research and awareness initiatives. Adjacent ecosystem partner rather than a competitor, but comparable as a wildlife conservation organization driving donor and grant flows in the same mission space.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/senecaparkzoo
• Facebookfacebook.com/senecaparkzoo
• Instagraminstagram.com/senecaparkzoo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/seneca-park-zoo-society

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 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 Seneca Park Zoo