| Zoo |
How operations are financed, funds acquired and investments made |
| Lincoln Park Zoo |
40% of the zoo’s budget is contributed by its members and donors. In 2013, it amounted to USD 9 million of the USD 22 million budgeted by the zoo. There are however individuals who donate to support the zoo’s education and conservation activities. Local residents contribute in the hope of ensuring the zoo remains free in the long term.Revenue for the zoo is also funnelled through cafes, refreshments, rides, show tickets, parking fees and gift shop’ souvenirs. Through the sale of such goods, USD 8 million was obtained by Lincoln Park Zoo, which makes up of 35% of the operating budget. Figures for this element of funding fluctuate in relation to the season and corresponding weather. For instance, in summer, visitors throng to the zoo with numbers decreasing in the colder spring months of January and February. Rainy seasons and heat waves also reduce the number of visitors at the zoo concurrently reducing revenues.The zoo receives annual subsidies from the Chicago Park District to the tune of USD5.5 million in addition to utility services. With increasing costs due to inflation and varying economic conditions, the figure has growingly become inadequate in supporting the zoo’s budget. In 1995, the USD5.5 million covered 46% of the annual budget of the zoo. This figure plummeted in 2013 to merely 25%. Thus, donations remain a prime and vital source of revenue for the zoo. |
| Chester Zoo |
Chester Zoo Enterprise Limited which is a subsidiary of Chester Zoo provides catering and retail services among other services generated. The turnover from these activities contributes to the zoo’s budget. The amount decreased from 29% to 27% of the budget in 2013 and 2012 respectively. However, this decrease in percentage is due to an increase in the value of grants and other donations from the government and corporations from £304,000 to £515,000.Visitors’ admission contributed 49% of the zoo’s budget in 2013 and 2012, bringing in approximately £14million and £12million respectively. Another major income source is annual membership fees which totalled up to £2,751,000 in 2013, a 10% increase compared to 2012. Besides, donations and aid from individuals also has been an important source of resources. It increase from 9% to 10% for 2013 and in 2012, there has been an increased by £374,000. Other funds are from short term investments, animal adoptions, and monorail and boat operations. These resources have an aggregate amount of £1,301,000 which makes up to 6% of the total resources obtained. |
| San Diego Zoo (SDZ) |
ZSSD Foundation was formed in 2007. It is a related organization; conducts fund raising activities for SDZ Global. Funds raised by the ZSSD are channelled directly to SDZ Global. ZSSD is supported by volunteers. SDZ received fund from The Seaver Institute amounting to $110,000 SDZ Global's endowment funds were established by donor-restricted contributions to provide a permanent endowment, which is to provide a permanent source of income. The portion of a permanent endowment that must be maintained permanently.SDZ has a total investment of $104,040 derived from international mutual fund, equity securities from both domestic and international, and limited partnership. Majority of the funds to be invested in public equity securities or equity mutual funds. |
| Singapore Zoo |
The Zoo of Singapore is owned by the Wildlife Reserves Singapore (WRS) which owns Jurong Bird Park, the Night safari and River safari. The WRS is a self-financed organization with donations comprising less than 5% of its total revenue. According to WRS’s CEO Mr Lee Meng Tat, he is mindful about the profitability of the zoo, park and safari as they do not receive subsidies and they have to ensure they make enough to maintain their premises. From the financial highlights of WRS for 2013/2014, we notice that admission and rides make up the largest part which is 60.7% of total revenue. Food and beverages come in second with 23.6%. Third would be retail with 11.6%. Most of WRS’s funds come from the number of tourist they attract, thus they have to ensure that the attractions are interesting and always up to date. In 2014, WRS launched a new attraction, the River Safari. This attraction, which costs approximately SG128 million, was financed by a bank loan. It was the first time WRS obtained a bank loan. |
