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About

Our Mission

Through the passion of our team, the Los Angeles Zoo is leading the way in saving wildlife and connecting Angelenos to the natural world by providing exemplary animal care, delivering distinctive and diverse learning opportunities, and creating unforgettable experiences.

Saving Wildlife.
Enriching Our Communities.
Creating Connections to Nature.

Our Vision

Creating a just and sustainable world where people and wildlife thrive, together.

Overview

The City of Los Angeles owns the Zoo, its land and facilities, and the animals. Animal care, grounds maintenance, construction, learning and engagement, public information, and administrative staff are City employees. The Mayor of the City of Los Angeles is Karen Bass, who began her first term in 2022. Located within the 4th City Council District, the Zoo is represented by Councilmember Nithya Raman. Denise M. Verret was appointed by Mayor Eric Garcetti as CEO and Zoo Director July 2019.

The Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) was created in 1963 as a private, nonprofit fundraising organization to support the Zoo. Today, GLAZA provides support through fundraising, membership, marketing and public relations, organizing special events and travel programs, producing award-winning publications, coordinating one of the largest zoo volunteer programs in the country, administering the contract for visitor services concessions within the Zoo, and supporting community relations.

Fact Sheet

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens opened on November 28, 1966. The Zoo is home to more than 2,100 mammals, birds, amphibians, and reptiles representing more than 270 different species, of which more than 58 are endangered. In addition, the Zoo’s botanical collection comprises several planted gardens and over 800 different plant species with approximately 7,000 individual plants. The Zoo receives nearly 1.8 million visitors per year and is owned and operated by the City of Los Angeles. The daily management of the Zoo is overseen by Chief Executive Officer & Zoo Director Denise M. Verret. The Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Size

133 acres

Location

5333 Zoo Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90027

In Griffith Park, at the intersection of the Golden State (5) and Ventura (134) freeways.

Hours

Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day (December 25).

Listing of Zoo administrative staff and accreditation information.

As the Zoo’s nonprofit advocate and partner, GLAZA commits to provide financial and mission support to the Zoo and its programs.

Take a look back at just some of the many remarkable animals, conservation achievements, firsts, innovations, partnerships, friends, and advocates that have made the Zoo what it is now.

The Board of Zoo Commissioners was created in 1997 when the Los Angeles Zoo became its own Department; previously it was part of the Department of Recreation and Parks.

The proposed Project would guide future development and modernization of the Zoo for the next 20 years.

GLAZA occasionally issues Requests for Proposals for various business opportunities in connection with our activities at the Zoo.

Zoos have long been considered institutions of education and entertainment, but their role as conservation organizations is becoming more prominent as natural habitat around the world shrinks.

Contact information for the Los Angeles Zoo.

In 2018, the Los Angeles Zoo commissioned an economic impact report in partnership with Beacon Economics, the financial consultant that prepared this report.