Sedgwick County Zoo

Name

Sedgwick County Zoo

Legal name

Sedgwick County Zoological Society, Inc.

Website

https://scz.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Wichita

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, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. General Admission: The zoo charges admission fees for all non-member visitors. Prices vary by age category (adult, child, senior) and whether purchased online or at the gate. Online purchases receive a $5 discount. Children 2 and under are free.
2. Memberships: Annual membership programs offering unlimited visits with various tiers: Single Plus ($130), Senior Plus ($105), Family ($235), Family Plus ($285), Family Plus Two ($315), and Zoo Pride donor program ($1,250+). Members receive additional perks including early entry, discounts on attractions and events, and reciprocity at 150+ other zoos.
3. Attractions: Single attraction tickets ($4-5) and Go Wild Attraction Passes (5 uses for $16-20) for experiences including Safari Express, Giraffe Feeding, Boat Rides, and Stingray Cove interactions.
4. Wild Encounters: Premium behind-the-scenes experiences with animals including Rhino Encounter, Penguin Encounter, Ambassador Animal Encounter, Horse Encounter, and Aldabra Tortoise Encounter.
5. Donations and Sponsorships: General donations, animal adoption (Zoo Pals), commemorative gifts, event sponsorships, planned giving, and employer matching through Dillons Community Rewards. Sponsors such as Cox Communications sponsor specific events and attractions. Event sponsorship reaches 500,000+ people annually.
6. Event Rentals and Private Events: Corporate events, birthday parties, group admissions (20+), and venue rentals including Downing Gorilla Forest, Elephant Lodge, POET Gazebo, and Slawson Tiger Trek. The annual Zoobilee fundraiser generates revenue through ticket sales, food, drinks, and silent auction.
7. Food Service and Retail: Multiple food and beverage locations including The Beastro restaurant, Nganda Cafe, Kookaburra Canteen, and food trucks. Zoo Store sells merchandise including plush animals, books, educational toys, and apparel.
8. Educational Programs: STEM Safari programs, Summer Learning Adventures, ZooReach outreach, overnight programs, and fee-based educational classes for various age groups including early childhood, elementary, scouts, and adults.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Sedgwick County Zoo operates a zoological park in Wichita, Kansas, housing approximately 3,000 animals of nearly 400 species across geographically-themed habitats. The zoo sells day admission, annual memberships, paid attractions (Safari Express train, boat rides, animal feedings, Stingray Cove), premium behind-the-scenes Wild Encounters, educational programs for schools and families, event venue rentals, and donation-driven animal adoption programs. It is operated by the Sedgwick County Zoological Society, Inc. as a not-for-profit organization accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums since 1981.

Product overview

Sedgwick County Zoo is a not-for-profit zoological park offering a diverse portfolio of visitor experiences centered around animal conservation and education. The core offerings include day admission tickets and annual memberships providing unlimited zoo access, supplemented by paid attractions such as the Safari Express train, Conservation Cruise boat rides, and Giraffe Feeding Station. Premium experiences include Wild Encounters providing behind-the-scenes access to animals like rhinos, penguins, and tortoises. The zoo operates an extensive education division offering Field Trips with STEM Safari programs for K-12 schools, Learning Adventures across age segments from newborns through adults, and overnight Creature Campout programs. Event services encompass venue rental for corporate events and birthday parties across multiple zoo habitats. The donation and engagement portfolio includes Zoo Pals symbolic animal adoptions and Zoo Pride premium donor memberships. A mobile application provides visitors with interactive maps, event schedules, and mobile ordering capabilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Zoo Admission Tickets Day passes for zoo entry with tiered pricing for adults ($28 online/$33 gate), children 3-11 ($23 online/$28 gate), seniors 62+ ($23 online/$28 gate), and free admission for children under 3 and members.
• Annual Memberships Annual membership programs providing unlimited visits with tiered pricing: Single Plus ($130), Senior Plus ($105), Family ($235), Family Plus ($285), Family Plus Two ($315). Benefits include early entry, discounts on attractions and events, and reciprocity at 150+ other AZA zoos.
• Zoo Attractions Paid animal experiences including Safari Express train ride, Conservation Cruise boat ride, Giraffe Feeding Station, and Stingray Cove interactive touch pool. Available via single tickets ($4 members/$5 general) or Go Wild Attraction Pass ($16 members/$20 general for 5 uses).
• Wild Encounters Premium behind-the-scenes animal experiences including Rhino Encounter, Penguin Encounter, Ambassador Animal Encounter, Horse Encounter, and Aldabra Tortoise Encounter (seasonal May-Sept).
• Field Trips and STEM Safari Programs Educational field trip programs for K-12 schools (public, private, homeschool) aligned with Kansas College and Career Ready Standards. Includes STEM Safari thematic classes and Investigation Stations. Standard rate $6.50/person; Title 1 schools $4.50/person with mandatory educational program inclusion.
• Learning Adventures Age-targeted educational programs including Early Childhood (Pajama Party $8-9, Wee Wigglers $5-6, Owlet $6-7), Elementary programs, Scout badge workshops, Summer Learning Adventures, Overnight Creature Campouts ($50 members/$60 non-members), and Adult programs like Coffee Connection.
• Event Venue Rental Private event hosting across 9 venue spaces including Downing Gorilla Forest, Elephant Lodge, POET Gazebo, and Slawson Tiger Trek for corporate events, birthday parties, and group gatherings. Group admission starts at $13-$15 per person for 20+ guests.
• Zoo Pals Animal Adoption Symbolic animal adoption donation program with tiered donations ($25-$200) providing recognition, certificate, zookeeper report, photo, decal, plush animal, zoo passes, and personalized poster.
• Zoo Pride Donor Program Premium donor program at $1,250+ annually offering unlimited visits for family and guests, VIP Director's events, 50% off at 150+ zoos, 20% off gift shop and food, and complimentary attraction vouchers.
• Sedgwick County Zoo Mobile App Official mobile application for iOS and Android providing interactive zoo map, daily event schedule, mobile ordering for food and merchandise, and personalized guest experience features.
• Special Events Programming Seasonal ticketed events including Twilight Tuesdays ($10 Tuesdays in July), Zoobilee fundraiser ($175 Early Bird), Wild Lights winter lantern display, Winter Wednesdays ($5 November-February), Creature Campouts, Wheeling Wild bike club, and First Responders Day.
• Zoobilee Fundraiser Wichita's premier annual fundraiser featuring live music, drinks, bites from 60+ local establishments, and silent auction. Early Bird tickets $175; VIP entry at 5:30 PM, general at 6 PM.
• Equipment Rentals On-site rental of wheelchairs (push $10, electric $30, electric with canopy $35) and strollers (single $10, double $12) for visitor accessibility and convenience.
• Zoo Store Retail Merchandise On-site retail store selling merchandise including plush animals, books, educational toys, and apparel to zoo visitors.

Named customers6 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

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Dian Fossey Gorilla FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConservation partnership through the Nkuba Conservation Area in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The zoo's newborn gorilla Nkuba was named to honor this community-managed reserve established and managed by the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, reflecting the zoo's commitment to gorilla conservation and wild habitat protection.
• Cox CommunicationscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerEvent sponsor for Twilight Tuesdays and provides partnership for elephant cam streaming. Cox Communications presents Twilight Tuesdays at the Zoo, providing marketing visibility for the zoo's summer evening events.
• WDM ArchitectsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction experts who assisted with repairs and updates to the Cessna Penguin Cove habitat after bonded acrylic panels failed due to weather and wear.
• Conco ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction experts who assisted with repairs and updates to the Cessna Penguin Cove habitat, including removing steel column supports and replacing acrylic panels.
• Nets UnlimitedminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConstruction experts who assisted with repairs and updates to the Cessna Penguin Cove habitat.
• Advanced Orthopaedic AssociatescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided specialty orthopedic surgical team including Zach Hanson MD, Matthew Louis MD, Chad Corrigan MD for chimpanzee Alizeti's foot surgery and reconstruction at Oliver Animal Hospital.
• Thrive Reconstructive SurgerycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided specialty reconstructive surgical expertise for chimpanzee Alizeti's toe amputation and tendon reconstruction at Oliver Animal Hospital.
• Wesley Medical CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMedical center providing surgical team and support including Abby Mercado CRNP and Emily McKenna RN for chimpanzee Alizeti's surgery at Oliver Animal Hospital.
• Midwest Animal Dental & Oral Surgery ServicescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDr. Doug Winter, board-certified veterinary dentist, evaluated and treated chimpanzee Alizeti's teeth during surgery. No catastrophic root damage found; adult teeth expected to grow in normally.
• Kansas Alliance for Wetlands and StreamsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Party for the Planet educational field trip program, hosting the Wetland Room for grades K-2 to teach about aquatic ecosystems and gyotaku fish printing art.
• Nudge CompostminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Party for the Planet educational field trip program, hosting the Ocean Room for grades 3-6 to teach about food waste and composting.
• Kansas Geological SurveyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Party for the Planet educational field trip program, hosting the Prairie Room for grades 3-6 to teach about climate change and water access in Kansas.
• The Spice MerchantminorGTM or Marketing PartnerLocal business that provides coffee for the Coffee Connection monthly educational program at the zoo. Sponsored by The Spice Merchant.
• BXC and 2025BWW (Wheeling Wild Sponsors)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsors for the Wheeling Wild bike club event series.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Market position

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/sedgwickcountyzoo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/SedgwickCoZoo
• Facebookfacebook.com/SedgwickCountyZoo
• Instagraminstagram.com/sedgwickcountyzoo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sedgwick-county-zoo

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 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 Sedgwick County Zoo