LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Little Rock Zoo is spending millions more than it’s bringing in, and zoo leaders believe their major expansion will help turn things around.
City financial reports show the zoo brought in about $2.9 million in revenue in 2024, while spending nearly $7.9 million on operations. The City of Little Rock transferred roughly $4.9 million to cover the shortfall.
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That’s a decline from more than $3.3 million in 2023, with slightly higher totals the year before. Admissions made up the largest share of revenue — about $1.8 million — followed by memberships at $552,000 and gift shop sales at $99,000.
Now, zoo leaders are banking on a $12 million expansion project, the first major update in more than a decade, to bring more people through the gates and boost revenue…