Opening a Zoo From Scratch

Themistocles

Themistocles

Member
There seems to be a lot of talk about people wanting to open a zoo and their plans for fantasy zoo. So I though I would share how I am going about opening a zoo from scratch. I am going to change all names of places and people so they won't feel violated. If you are interested in helping or have any suggestions please feel free to comment or pm me, any help is appreciated.

First thing I have done is kept a rather large number of reptiles and a few mammals for some time now. I have become very active in the reptile community and have made some really great friends. It has been and still is a lot of work. I find myself still working at 1am. some times and just have to say I'll finish in the morning.
I have researched other zoo's and read over there business plans most over 100 pages long. I have begun building my business plan and have a Board of Directors established.
We have begun getting experienced people for the proper positions such as large reptile handlers, experienced keepers and an education staff that has been teaching kids about reptiles for years.
In total we have over 100 species of animals.

We are currently looking into a building that has just become available. It contains both an outside walking area and a large building for our indoor animals.

Now like many I had no idea what to do next so...
I called the City. A nice woman answered the phone and asked "How may I direct your call" I told her I wasn't sure who I needed to talk to but I would like to open a zoo in *****. She said " I don't think I heard you correctly, what did you say?" I told her again I wanted to open a zoo and she laughed and just said let me connect you to zoning...

Again another nice woman answered the phone and said "good afternoon, how may I help you?" I again just replied with I would like to open a zoo in *****.
She replied with "You're pulling my leg right?"
I said no, and just repeated I really wanted to open a zoo here.
She said well wouldn't that be just great, and then connected me to a man named A. that worked in Planning.
When I got a hold of him he asked "How may I help you?"
I told him "I wanted to open a zoo in *****"
He began to speak then stopped and paused so long I thought he hung up. Then he asked if I had a location in mind and I told him where it was.
He said he would have to research the zoning and after a while of talking he said there isn't any zoning for this and he had no idea what to do so I would have to call back tomorrow.
That was the end of the phone calls for today so I have to get back to taking care of the animals. I will update as I progress through this process. Until then, thanks for reading.
 
Themistocles said:
There seems to be a lot of talk about people wanting to open a zoo and their plans for fantasy zoo. So I though I would share how I am going about opening a zoo from scratch. I am going to change all names of places and people so they won't feel violated. If you are interested in helping or have any suggestions please feel free to comment or pm me, any help is appreciated.

First thing I have done is kept a rather large number of reptiles and a few mammals for some time now. I have become very active in the reptile community and have made some really great friends. It has been and still is a lot of work. I find myself still working at 1am. some times and just have to say I'll finish in the morning.
I have researched other zoo's and read over there business plans most over 100 pages long. I have begun building my business plan and have a Board of Directors established.
We have begun getting experienced people for the proper positions such as large reptile handlers, experienced keepers and an education staff that has been teaching kids about reptiles for years.
In total we have over 100 species of animals.

We are currently looking into a building that has just become available. It contains both an outside walking area and a large building for our indoor animals.

Now like many I had no idea what to do next so...
I called the City. A nice woman answered the phone and asked "How may I direct your call" I told her I wasn't sure who I needed to talk to but I would like to open a zoo in *****. She said " I don't think I heard you correctly, what did you say?" I told her again I wanted to open a zoo and she laughed and just said let me connect you to zoning...

Again another nice woman answered the phone and said "good afternoon, how may I help you?" I again just replied with I would like to open a zoo in *****.
She replied with "You're pulling my leg right?"
I said no, and just repeated I really wanted to open a zoo here.
She said well wouldn't that be just great, and then connected me to a man named A. that worked in Planning.
When I got a hold of him he asked "How may I help you?"
I told him "I wanted to open a zoo in *****"
He began to speak then stopped and paused so long I thought he hung up. Then he asked if I had a location in mind and I told him where it was.
He said he would have to research the zoning and after a while of talking he said there isn't any zoning for this and he had no idea what to do so I would have to call back tomorrow.
That was the end of the phone calls for today so I have to get back to taking care of the animals. I will update as I progress through this process. Until then, thanks for reading.
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That sounds very exciting. Best of luck with your future endeavours. Do I sound like a recruitment agent? :D
 
Well California is going to be a b tch to do any business especially one that is a potential non profit and involves animal welfare.
 
Sound you realy know what you are doing and I hope the City sees it also that way !
What animals do you have and how is the 'variation' - I mean I know people with many species of day gecko's or anoles but if you have 100 species of dull-brown gecko-species you won't get a lot of visitors ! Are you planning the put on show only reptiles or also other animals and if yes, what kind of ?
As said, I wish you good luck !
 
So here is an update.
First I would like to Thank Adam he works for my city planning and zoning.
He has researched diligently to help me out.
So like most cities there is no zoning for zoo use.
So Adam is going to discuss my options with the ordnance planner and one of two things will happen.
A) I could (probably not) fall under zoning that already exists for amusement parks or pet shops.
B) (Most likely to happen) I will have to submit an application for interpretation to the city. They will then have a public hearing for a zoning amendment.

All of this is going to take at least 2.5 months and possibly longer than 6 months.

I have begun a large public outreach campaign getting in touch will Boy Scouts, Girl Scout, Schools, ect.
I want to reach out to children and parents helping school science programs and helping scouts with badges.
Basically anything I can do to help enhance the community and get my name out there so when the time comes I will have large public support.
 
For those who wanted to know about the animals here is the current list.
-Crested Gecko's all colors yellow, red, pinstripe over 100+
-Gargoyle Gecko's
-Chahoua Gecko's
-Leachianus Gecko's some really nice Pine and Morrow Isle
-Giant Day Gecko
-Tokay Gecko's amazingly handle able and very calm
-Flying Gecko's
-Leopard Gecko's from normals to super albino's
-Cuban Knight Anole
-Chinese Water Dragon a beautiful green and blue striped girl
-Frilled dragons
-Bearded Dragons
-Large Green Iguanas
-Red Tegu
-Yellow Quince Monitor
-Large Northern Blue Tongue Skink
-Chameleons all different species at different times
-Rainbow Boa's
-Colombian Red tail's extremely large and friendly all great for kids to handle

These are the animals that are on hold until the facility becomes available
-Blue Tree Monitor
-Green Tree Monitor
-Sulfur Monitor
-Radiated Tortoise
-Black Aldabra Tortoise
-Green, Yellow, Red, and Blue Green Tree Pythons
-An entire Rattlesnake exhibit

These are what I am currently seeking
-Naultinus E. or G.
-Cuban Sailfin Dragons
-Blue Tegu
-Black throat Monitor
-Cuban Green Iguana's
-Pink Iguana's
-Rhino Viper
-Gaboon Viper
-Borneo Eared Tree Frog
 
So it has been a while but the zoo is still going full steam ahead. We are now a filed nonprofit corporation for public benefit. We also have bank accounts and credit cards. Are staff has changed over the couple months. Some people just were not as dedicated as they needed to be. But I believe it is for the best, our staff now is super dedicated to the animals. We have also expanded our collection to include some amazing snakes. My two favorites are a caramel albino ball python and a bright lavender albino reticulated python.
Construction of large cages has slowly begun, space is becoming an issue. Keeping animals away from any construction is taking some precise logistics but we are getting it done.
Community support has been great and we appreciate it a lot.
 
Several enthusiastic young people have posted plans to open a zoo, but many of them are completely unrealistic. (One guy with zero animals and zero experience was planning to have orcas in Phoenix, Arizona - I notice he dropped off ZooChat rather quickly). But you are different. You have animals and experience, you have realistic goals for how to start small and build up, and you have a board, etc. I think your approach and your plan should succeed brilliantly.

One thing you have not mentioned is a USDA license. Not sure if you are already looking into this, but you MUST (as in not an option) be USDA licensed to be open to the public. If you have not yet started the paperwork, you need to contact your local USDA office immediately.

I think I speak for everyone here on ZooChat in wishing you the best success in your endeavor.
 
Followup question regarding your list. I know what an aldabra tortoise is (we have them at my zoo), but what is a black aldabra tortoise? I mean is it really black as in melanistic? I have never heard of such a thing.
 
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Arizona Docent said:
Followup question regarding your list. I know what an aldabra tortoise is (we have them at my zoo), but what is a black aldabra tortoise? I mean is it really black as in melanistic? I have never heard of such a thing.
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I am not the tortoise expert so don't quote me on this. I will get a definite answer from our turtle/tort. keeper next time I talk to him.
The aldabra we have are almost all black. Off hand I am pretty sure that all aldabra nails are usually black and skin on the darker side. Other aldabra shells have a more brown look to them, while our aldabra's shell is black.
That is why I call it a black adabra.
 
Themistocles said:
I am not the tortoise expert so don't quote me on this. I will get a definite answer from our turtle/tort. keeper next time I talk to him.
The aldabra we have are almost all black. Off hand I am pretty sure that all aldabra nails are usually black and skin on the darker side. Other aldabra shells have a more brown look to them, while our aldabra's shell is black.
That is why I call it a black adabra.
Click to expand...

I apologize for bumping an old thread but, any update on this?

I find the idea of someone on here opening a small zoo or sanctuary fascinating. Any other examples?
 
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