Zoos are incredibly unique businesses, as they typically feature unique animals that have very distinct rules and regulations surrounding their captivity. For this reason, the economics of zoos is heavily muddied, as they involve major costs like park upkeep, national fees and more.
It is well known for its lush, naturalistic habitats and unique animal encounters and is home to more than 3,700 rare and endangered animals representing approximately 660 species and subspecies and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 plants.
Polar bears are the animals that do worst in captivity. Carnivores such as polar bears, tigers, cheetahs, and lions are especially poorly suited for life in a zoo, according to a new study. The more an animal roams in the wild, the researchers found, the worse it fares in captivity.
The Economic Impact of ZoosThe Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoos drew 183 million visitors to U.S. zoos and aquariums. AZA-member zoos in the States employed 198,000 people. The report estimated the total economic output of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums in 2018 to be $22.5 billion.
Zoos follow a fundamental principle: You can't sell or buy the animals. It's unethical and illegal to put a price tag on an elephant's head. But money is really useful — it lets you know who wants something and how much they want it.
The Chinese government owns nearly all the giant pandas on earth. And American zoos will shell out up to $1 million a year to rent just one. Most sign 10-year panda diplomacy contracts, and if any baby cubs are born, they pay an additional one-time $400,000 baby tax.
There are, according to the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, over 10,000 zoos around the world, so while travelling, the opportunities to visit one are innumerable. Whether as an adult or a child, most people love zoos.
The Phoenix Zoo opened in 1962 and is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the zoo was founded by Robert Maytag, a member of the Maytag family, and operates on 125 acres (51 ha) of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix.
Georgia Aquarium (Atlanta, GA)The largest aquarium in the world, the Georgia Aquarium invites visitors to come face-to-face with sharks, rays, dolphins, penguins, sea lions, seals and beluga whales!