Most zoos in America are managed by private non-profit zoological societies – with varying degrees of success. One significant exception is the Los Angeles Zoo, a world-class institution that resides in Griffith Park. It is both owned and managed by the city of Los Angeles – an arrangement that is increasingly flawed and may endanger the future of the zoo. 

Though the zoo itself continues to have enough cash coming in to cover its basic operating expenses, according to a mid-June report from the Los Angeles County Civil Grand Jury, the “City is unable to provide the level of investment required to bring the Zoo up to contemporary expectations. As a result, private donations, particularly from major donors, are essential. Yet, the Zoo faces significant challenges in attracting major philanthropic support while it remains a city department.” That makes some sense – city taxpayers likely believe that they’re already doing their bit to support the zoo through tax dollars and shouldn’t have to make donations. in addition, to the city itself.

(The Los Angeles Civil Grand Jury is one of many California county-based organizations that we’ve relied on for important information in the past. The Civil Grand Jury system in California is an unusual creature in government.  These grand juries don’t make judgements in criminal or civil cases. In California counties, they are made up of citizen members who act as government watchdogs, investigating municipal operations and so on)

“Over time, deferred maintenance and unmet capital needs continue to grow,” reports the Los Angeles Civil Grand Jury, “while the City’s capacity to address those needs continues to decline. Inevitably, the needs of the Zoo will succumb to the demands on the City budget for public health, welfare, transportation, and safety services.”

As the Civil Grand Jury observed, “Memberships and revenue have fallen steadily since the end of the pandemic. The number of membership households dropped from 36,914 in April 2025 to 28,440 in February 2026. This represents a loss of 8,474 memberships, or a 23% drop in less than one year. In July 2025, membership visits accounted for 28% of visits. These numbers represent declining revenue streams, imperiling the sustainability of the Zoo.”

Meanwhile, the issues have gotten more complicated according to an article in the Los Angeles Times, which wrote that “the grand jury recommendation comes as the city remains in a messy legal dispute with the nonprofit Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association. (GLAZA), the zoo’s main fundraising partner, which handles special events, membership, publications, volunteers and sponsorship.” The Zoo had counted on that relationship to help shore up it is finances, but with a legal battle over a $50 million endowment, the ownership of which is in dispute, the zoo’s issues have reached a point at which its future is dubious at best.

According to the grand jury report the zoo’s relationship with GLAZA, “now lies in ruins crashed on the rocky shore of a major lawsuit in the Los Angeles Superior Court.”

The solution, recommended by the Grand Jury,  is a public private partnership. As it reports, “Many zoos have taken this path, and all of them have become stronger as a result. There is no doubt that the transition is complex, but it can be done.

“The City has individuals who can craft the necessary contracts and agreements needed to forge a new governance structure.  A critical component of a successful transition is a suitable benefactor/nonprofit organization to support the Zoo with financial acumen and resources. This strong outside partner will provide a champion and sponsor for the transition to a newly energized Zoo.”

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