AZA Zoos and Aquariums Contribute $24 Billion to U.S. Economy (2024)

FAQs

AZA Zoos and Aquariums Contribute $24 Billion to U.S. Economy? ›

A report conducted by Dr Stephen Fuller, a prominent economist, shows that these AZA members generate local, regional and national economic benefits. These institutions serve over 183 million visitors annually and sustain over 212,000 jobs, helping to generate $24 billion through the value of goods and services.

The 215 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums in the U.S. serve more than 183 million annual visitors and support over 212,000 jobs, generating $24 billion in the total value of goods and services generated directly and indirectly as a result of annual outlays by AZA members and their visitors.

Zoo and aquarium visitors spend money in communities that call these organizations home. Often these visitors originate from outside of the area. Locally retained sales, income, and jobs resulting from these visits represent the direct impacts of visitor spending.

With more than 230 accredited members, AZA continues to build North America's largest wildlife conservation movement. AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums fund over 2500 conservation projects in more than 100 countries and spend on average $160 million on conservation initiatives annually.

The $3.26 billion in total direct outlays by AZA's member zoos and aquariums generated $9.258 billion in total economic impact with $8.4 billion of these benefits being captured by the US economy.

General Consumption

Based on a freshwater fish only aquarium at about 72 F, the total consumption for a small tank (10 Gallons) is about 150 kWh a year. A medium tank (30 Gallons) will run between 150 – 200 kWh per year, while a large aquarium (55 Gallons) needs 200 – 400 kWh per year.

Zoos engage in research, preserve biodiversity (genetic and species) that may be threatened or at times even extinct in the wild, and they provide much needed funding for research and conservation projects across the world.

The market size of the zoo and aquarium sector in the United States reached 2.28 billion U.S. dollars in 2021. The sector experienced a seven percent growth from the previous year's size of 2.12 billion U.S dollars.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) today announced that AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums contribute $160 million a year to wildlife conservation, supporting more than 2,650 conservation projects in 130 countries.

What are the public benefits of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums? ›

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums frequently work with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to help rescue, rehabilitate, and care for wild animals like sea turtles, manatees, and sea otters until they can be released back into the wild.

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums meet the highest standards in animal care and welfare and provide a fun, safe, and educational family experience. In addition, they dedicate millions of dollars annually to support scientific research, conservation, and education programs.

The accrediting body voiced concerns about the zoo's acquisition of ambassador animals. A recent documentary, “The Conservation Game,” raised questions about how celebrity conservationists, including the famous Jack Hanna, acquired exotic animals.

The main benefits of zoos and aquariums include Conservation, Education and Research programs that are designed to preserve and protect wild populations of animals as well as educate the public about the threats that face them.

From their origins as enclosures for the mere entertainment of the public, these institutions have undertaken new functions responding to the biodiversity crisis and social demands. Modern zoos and aquariums have the opportunity to educate people, contribute to species conservation, and produce animal-related research.

In 2016, the U.S. animal food manufacturing industry contributed $297.1 billion in U.S. sales, including roughly $102 billion in value-added contributions, and over $22.5 billion in local, state and national taxes. The industry employed over 944,000 people and paid nearly $56 billion in wages.

The more room, the better! Fish become frustrated and unhappy when kept in cramped bowls or tanks. House fish in a large filtered tank. All tanks should have a pump to keep water flowing continuously.

Normally your filter pumps, circulation pumps and/or power heads keep your water well oxygenated. When you lose power, this process stops and gradually the water will no longer be able to support its inhabitants.

Not very long. If you have not backup equipment, it can be as little as 2 hours before your fish run out of oxygen in your tank and they start suffocating.

What percentage of zoos are not-for-profit? Of the 238 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, 54 percent are not-for-profit.

How many animals are saved because of zoos? ›

Six Species Saved From Extinction by Zoos

As of 2017, 1,000 animals had been restored to the wild, while thousands more were living in zoo environments. Przewalski's Horse: The only truly wild species left in the world, Przewalski's Horse is native to the grasslands of Central Asia.

The largest zoo in the United States is Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Ohio, measuring 406.30 acres for the zoo alone and 580 acres in total. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has more than 7,000 animals and over 800 species of animals living within its borders.

The Wilds Safari Park

The Wilds is a non-profit safari park located on 10,000 acres in Cumberland, Ohio. The wilds Safari park is the largest zoo in the world and North America.

Zoo Economics Go Beyond Just Admission

In some ways, a zoo functions like a botanical garden or a museum, making money from a combination of admission, merchandise, private donors, institutional donors and aid from city and state governments.

Having animals in protection provides a reservoir against a population crash in the wild. Zoos have helped remove animals from the endangered species list and have saved many from extinction. Without the efforts of zoos, there would be fewer animal species alive today!

Zoos can help to save endangered species by keeping them in a 'safe' environment. Safe as in protected from poachers, predators, habitat loss and even starvation. If a zoo has a breeding programme, this is another way to protect endangered species which may have trouble finding suitable mates in the wild.

AZA and AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums frequently partner with other organizations, including government agencies, to protect endangered species and their environments. Zoos and aquariums are an essential part of the recovery program for many endangered species listed under the Endangered Species Act.

Panda diplomacy, in its current form, works like this: China loans pandas to a zoo in the United States or another country, and the zoo pays an annual fee — usually $500,000 to $1 million each — to keep the pandas for at least a few years.

The truth is that most zoos exist primarily for profit. One of the biggest draw cards for zoos is baby animals. Babies will often be bred even when there isn't enough room to keep them, inevitably resulting in “surplus” animals in zoos. Surplus management strategies are one of the best-kept secrets of modern zoos.

What are the goals of the AZA elephant conservation program? ›

The goal of the AZA Asian Elephant SAFE Program (AeSP) is to enhance and assist Asian elephant conservation efforts within the 13 range countries and to report and celebrate elephant conservation efforts within AZA.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), originally the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1924 and dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation.

As of March 2023 there are currently 238 AZA-accredited institutions. Please use the list below to look up accredited zoos and aquariums in alphabetical order by name. You can also search for AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums by zip code: Find a zoo or aquarium near you.

Of the approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors licensed by the USDA across the country, less than 10% are AZA-accredited. How can I tell if an institution is accredited by AZA? Look for the logo! The AZA logo is the easiest, most reliable way to choose zoos and aquariums that meet our rigorous accreditation standards.

AZA accreditation is often considered to be the 'best' accreditation a zoological facility can have, due to their incredibly high standards and stringent requirements for accreditation.

The accreditation was removed in 2021 over an investigation into misuse of funds at the zoo and reports of intentional animal transfers for entertainment purposes. POWELL, Ohio — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has regained its accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) after losing it in late 2021.

As of March, 2023 there are currently 238 AZA-accredited institutions and 15 AZA-certified related facilities. Please see the complete list of AZA institutional members below, organized by location, or click here to search by zip code. You can also search alphabetically by clicking here.

Baker in 2015 ended the AZA membership because she disagreed about an AZA safety policy at the time that limited unprotected contact between elephants and handlers. The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium has accreditation from other organizations, which is great, Goodman says.

Only 10 percent of zoos in the U.S.—238 to be exact—are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which holds its member zoos to the highest standards of physical and mental care for wildlife—standards that are unachievable for the vast majority of other zoos.

To remain a member of AZA, the Zoo must undergo this process every five years to ensure that it meets the association's continually rising standards. The Zoo was first granted accreditation in 1977.

How do aquariums benefit society? ›

While nothing beats the real thing, a trip to an aquarium reminds us of the beauty – and fragility – of nature. By reawakening the bond with natural habitats, people are more motivated to support conservation, such as by reducing the use of plastics that pollute oceans and destroy marine life.

According to the AZA website, “less than 10 percent of the 2,800 wildlife exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare Act meet the more comprehensive standards of AZA accreditation.”

In the wild, an animal's stress-response system helps it escape from danger. But captivity traps animals with almost no control over their environment. These situations foster learned helplessness, negatively impacting the hippocampus, which handles memory functions, and the amygdala, which processes emotions.

Zoos and aquariums help to protect species by educating others and inspiring visitors. Most accredited zoos participate in Species Survival Plans (SSPS) that help boost endangered animal populations through breeding programs.

Zoos play a pivotal role in animal conservation by keeping animals in safe conditions and educating the public about various species. These wildlife conservation societies encourage public engagement to advocate for protecting all animals, especially those on the endangered list.

“Zoos allow us to experience nature and are a great resource for understanding more about conservation, biodiversity and sustainability, as well as bringing many positive benefits to human mental health and well-being.”

Egg production, broiler production and cattle rearing provide income to the farmers. 7. Industrial Uses: Farm animals are also known to provide raw materials for examples eggs are used in pharmaceutical industries (i.e. production of some medicines).

However, animals have been a crucial part of human economies since the beginning of civilization. From agriculture, transportation, shelter, clothing, and more, they have played an essential role in our development and survival.

The industry contributes approximately $894 billion in total to the U.S. economy, or just under 6 percent of total U.S. GDP and, through its production and distribution linkages, impacts firms in all 440 sectors of the U.S. economy, directly and indirectly providing 5.9 million jobs in the U.S.

The market size, measured by revenue, of the Zoos & Aquariums industry is $2.9bn in 2023. What is the growth rate of the Zoos & Aquariums industry in the US in 2023? The market size of the Zoos & Aquariums industry is expected to increase 9.1% in 2023.

How much profit does an aquarium store make? ›

Your numbers can vary significantly, but a successful local pet fish store can expect to profit $100,000 to $180,000 from net sales of up to $400,000 a year with a solid customer base.

Commercial and Recreational Fisheries (Combined) Totals

1.7 million jobs, $253 billion in sales, $117 billion in value added impacts. 1.1 million commercial jobs, 595 thousand recreational jobs.

The Global Aquarium market is anticipated to rise at a considerable rate during the forecast period, between 2023 and 2026. In 2022, the market is growing at a steady rate and with the rising adoption of strategies by key players, the market is expected to rise over the projected horizon.

The Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta is the largest aquarium in the world housing more than 100,000 sea creatures.

So, a tank with breeding angelfish, dwarf cichlids, and corydoras could be highly lucrative. For example, imagine you get 50 angelfish, ten dwarf cichlids, and ten corydoras from a single breeding session. If you can sell all these fish, you could make more than $500 with every breeding cycle.

Report Overview. The global ornamental fish market size was valued at USD 5.88 billion in 2022 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.5% from 2023 to 2030.

Overfishing costs more than $80 billion a year in lost revenues as dwindling supplies require extra effort to find and catch increasingly scarce fish, according to the study by the World Bank.

Fishes generate a number of commercially valuable by-products. Fish oil, fish meat, fertiliser, fish glue and so on are these by-products. 4. In paintings, soaps, oils and medicines, these by-products are widely used.

For 2020, U.S. commercial and recreational saltwater fishing generated $253 billion in sales impacts, contributed $117 billion to gross domestic product, and supported 1.7 million jobs in the U.S. marine fishing sector and across the broader economy.