Buffalo Zoo’s new prices higher than 4 other nearby zoos

The Buffalo Zoo’s new adult admission prices will be the highest among zoos in four nearby cities, according to an analysis by The Buffalo News.

The $25.95 ticket for adult in-season visits, a 44% increase that Buffalo Zoo officials announced April 11, made Buffalo the highest adult admission among zoos in Pittsburgh, Toronto, Cleveland and Syracuse.

The Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnett Park in Syracuse charges the lowest admissions: $9 for adults and $5 for both seniors and children in March through December.

The Buffalo Zoo found itself in hot water with residents and local government officials after it announced plans to increase general admission prices while introducing affordable options for low-income families.

Some Erie County legislators have threatened to introduce legislation if the zoo doesn’t reverse course.

The new pricing model introduced by Buffalo Zoo President Lisa Smith includes in-season and off-season ticket prices that she said will help feed and take care of the 800 animals across various exhibits.

According to Smith, about 80% of the zoo visitors will use discount programs or memberships in 2023, with 20% paying for full-price tickets that contribute to the zoo’s general operations fund, including feeding animals, improving exhibits and maintaining the facilities.

“The zoo receives only 20% of its operating budgets from government entities including Erie County. We are very grateful for the county and its representatives that give us that ongoing support. But that means 80% of our budget is through self-generated means: admissions, rides, parking, donors, advocates and our members… raising prices is hard and unavoidable,” Smith said in a news conference Thursday afternoon.

Modifying zoo admission prices by raising them and introducing tiered pricing is a new strategy that’s becoming increasingly common in the zoo business to cope with unprecedented hikes in staffing and health care costs, according to the Buffalo Zoo’s president.

The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium and Toronto Zoo are among some of the North American zoos that have dynamic pricing models where planning ahead and booking in advance can help save money since the prices change daily.

The Pittsburgh Zoo’s general admission for adults, for example, ranges between $19 to $24. Visitors have access to free parking, and a Museum for All program allows SNAP-holders to enter the zoo for only $3.

The Buffalo Zoo’s 2022 financial records indicate it had $10.4 million in revenue and $13.2 million in expenditures. Almost 34% of its expenses were attributed to salaries. The Buffalo Zoo has had to change its staffing to cut costs, including reducing its marketing department to just one employee, Smith added.

Zoo spokesperson Christian Dobosiewicz has stated that the cost increase over the past two years for animal care alone has risen about 23%. Major increases include things such as animal bedding, life support systems and enrichment costs.

Just last year, it cost the zoo $23,000 to feed the vampire bats and $67,000 to feed human-quality produce to the vegetable-eating animals, Smith said. Taking care of the two polar bears, Luna and Sakari, cost the zoo roughly $130,000, she added.

“These may not seem big in the grand scheme of things, but when they all add up for each of our animals, it just keeps going [up],” she said.

The Buffalo Zoo previously charged the same admission rates year-round: $17.95 for adults, $15.95 for seniors, and $13.95 for children 12 and under, while those under 2 could enter for free. It made changes starting Monday to balance needs and improve access to one of the city’s oldest landmarks.

The tiered and stratified admission structure, including memberships and the Zoo for All program, will help the zoo sustain its level of operations while providing affordable options for the community, Smith said. Tuesdays, for instance, will remain available at off-season pricing year-round, she added.

Those who present a SNAP Electronic Benefits Transfer card will receive a discounted admission of $5 for themselves and up to three additional guests during normal operating hours. Those with an Arts Access Pass through Buffalo Arts Services Inc. or a Buffalo and Erie County Public Library card will receive $5 off a general admission ticket.

Here is the updated pricing list:

May 25-Sept. 1 (seasonal pricing from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day):

Sept. 3-May 24 (off-season pricing):

Child Membership (first two): $30

The zoo has received pushback from the Erie County Legislature’s Republican minority caucus who called the price hike “outrageous” and urged zoo officials to reconsider the admission price hike, The News reported Wednesday.

“Failure to do so may result in our caucus sponsoring legislation on this issue,” the letter stated. “We will not stand idly by as middle-class families we represent are priced out of a day trip to our local zoo.”

In a letter sent to the zoo president, the Republican politician noted that the County Legislature has unanimously agreed to provide millions of dollars in ongoing funding to the zoo and increased its annual support by 17.7% for this year by providing an additional $2 million. The county provided more than $20 million to the zoo for operational and capital construction costs over the last decade, according to data requested from the Comptroller’s Office by the minority caucus.

County Executive Mark Poloncarz was sympathetic to the zoo’s struggles but urged officials to keep prices at a “reasonable amount.”

“It’s the county support that’s kept them in operation,” Poloncarz said.

News Staff Reporter Sandra Tan contributed to this story.

Reach Debadrita (Deb) at [email protected].