Start a Zoo Business
If the idea of having people pay you money to look at animals is enticing, you may want to start a zoo business. Getting one started takes a lot of capital, and maintenance fees are fairly high. The San Diego Zoo pays almost $1 million to feed about 7,000 animals each year. It costs about $150 million each year to operate both the San Diego Zoo and their Wild Animal Park. While you may not want your zoo to be as big as the San Diego Zoo, even a small zoo takes a lot of planning.
Instructions
1. Build infrastructure on a plot of land the city has zoned for the type of animals you want to have in your zoo. Contact your city hall and inquire about properly zoned land that may be available. The part of the country you decide to build your zoo will determine whether land is available for this type of business and every state is different. Research is the key to finding the piece of property right for you. Ensure the property you choose has enough area for animal habitats as well as patron parking.
2. Identify the animals you want in your zoo and build their habitats. Figure out what type of habitat the animals you want require. Ensure you know their vegetation and climate. It's important to note that some animals will live in their habitat by day, but then must be caged at night. Ensure you have the proper housing attached to the habitat depending on the needs of the individual animal.
3. Acquire animals on loan or as trades from other zoos. Most zoos around the country are known to trade animals. Call established zoos in your local area and arrange loans for future trades. This is a common procedure for U.S. zoos, since purchasing exotic animals in the wild is rarely an option.
4. Hire animal trainers and acquire the service of a veterinarian, if you can't hire one full-time. You will also need people to clean the habitats and feed the animals daily. You will only be as successful as your staff. You can try to do it all yourself, but chances are you will need to depend on people with a wide range of specialties and experience to maintain the health of your animals and your zoo.
5. Create a ticket office and gift shop. Have someone available to work as a cashier. You may need a janitor and a maintenance person as well, to keep your new zoo ready for paying customers. Use this phase in your creation to think about marketing. Maybe one of your marquee animals can be reproduced as a stuffed animal in your gift shop. Shirts, picture frames and small ceramics make great souvenir gifts.
6. Conduct future planning and operations for your zoo. Did you forget to build bathrooms and drinking fountains? Expanding your business and generating growth take time and money. Do the research on zoos that are already successful and see if you can use some of their tried-and-true tactics for your new business. Hire an accountant and watch your investment grow.
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