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Understanding the financial challenges of zoos and wildlife parks in 2026
What 31 UK zoo and wildlife attractions told us about the financial pressures across the whole organisation, and what a connected visitor platform has to earn before it deserves a line in the budget.
- Format
- PDF role briefing
- Reading time
- 10 minutes
- Published
- September 2026
- Author
- Bryan Hoare
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What’s inside
Seven challenges, the evidence behind each one, what good looks like, and questions for your next review.
01
Growing income when costs will not flex
26 of 29 name rising staff and wage costs as their biggest pressure.
02
Protecting the trading day
Reducing the impact of weather and disruption on revenue.
03
Delivering with a small team
13 of 29 welcome fewer than 100,000 visitors a year; lean teams are the norm.
04
Evidence, mission and risk
What a licence has to return, evidence for the board and bank, and managing the decision risk.
Who it’s for
Who should read
this report
Written for senior leaders and owner operators who sign the budget, with cost, break-even and safeguards set out plainly.
- Chief executives
- Board members and trustees
- Finance directors
- Owner operators
- Senior management teams
- Family-run park leaders