Upcoming Zoo Ticket Price Increase Sparks Controversy

The Los Angeles City Council’s Arts, Parks and Libraries Committee took a significant step Tuesday by approving a $2 hike in ticket prices for the Los Angeles Zoo. This increase affects all tickets and must garner approval from both the council’s Budget Committee and the full City Council. If finalized, adult general admission will rise to $29. Prices for children and seniors will increase to $24 and $26, respectively.

This adjustment follows last year’s $5 increase aimed at addressing a budget shortfall. The city’s fiscal plans for 2026-27 already consider this new pricing. Before last year’s increase, the last adjustment was in 2012, with a $2 rise.

The zoo, a 133-acre facility located in Griffith Park, has been embroiled in controversies and legal disputes. In 2024, the city sued the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA), accusing it of withholding $50 million in an endowment fund. This legal battle continues, with a judge previously issuing a preliminary injunction against GLAZA.

The zoo, home to 1,600 animals, faces funding and staffing challenges. Animal welfare concerns led to the relocation of elephants Billy and Tina to the Tulsa Zoo. Other exhibits have closed due to the need for extensive renovations. The facility’s national accreditation stands challenged due to infrastructure issues like rust and peeling paint, along with shortages in funding and staffing.

An L.A. County grand jury report has suggested that the zoo find a new public-private partnership to ensure its stability and future growth. Despite the proposed price hike, the Los Angeles Zoo remains less expensive than the nearby San Diego Zoo, which charges $78 for an adult one-day pass.