Idaho Falls Zoo boasts record numbers as season ends
The Idaho Falls Zoo is closing for the season and zoo management says it has been a record-breaking season for them. The following is a press release from the Idaho Falls Zoo:
The staff and volunteers at the Idaho Falls Zoo are excited to announce several record-breaking attendance numbers at the zoo this year, including numbers from the most recent Boo at the Zoo event.
The 2015-16 total fiscal year attendance was reported at 132,615, exceeding the 2009 record by 2,906 visitors.
April’s opening day saw a record-breaking attendance of 2,196.
The month of April was also the zoo’s overall best attendance at 11,587, with a previous record of 9,386. July, which is normally the highest-attended month at most zoos (including the Idaho Falls Zoo), was this season’s recordbreaking month at 28,266. That number was up from a previous record of 27,900 in 2010.
Over a six-month operational period, the newly created Quarters for Conservation program brought in an impressive $35,801.10. When the program was first introduced during the 2014-15 fiscal year, $11,281 was raised over a four-month period.
Finishing off the zoo’s outstanding season, Boo at the Zoo, reported a remarkable number of guests at 10,458 over a three-day period which includes a record-breaking night on Saturday of 5,316 guests.
The Tautphaus Park Zoological Society, which hosts Boo at the Zoo, wishes to thank everyone who helped with this year’s event for their time, energy and talent. All funds raised from the event go toward future improvements at the zoo.
David Pennock, Zoo Superintendent stated, “The increased visits are attributed to the amazing and passionate staff and volunteers at the zoo. This group has worked so hard to make our zoo the best it can be by improving community outreach, taking excellent care of animals and zoo grounds, fundraising and continuing essential animal conservation measures,” adds Pennock.
According to a patron survey conducted in 2015, 63 percent of zoo visitors came from outside of Idaho Falls. From April 9 to July 19, 2016, the zoo hosted more than 7,700 school children from 31 communities in 12 counties across Idaho and from cities in southwestern Montana and western Wyoming. A previous independent study from 2009, using visitor surveys, concluded that the zoo adds $3.54 million annually to the local economy.
Nationally, attendance at zoos continues to increase. On average, 86 million people visit zoos and aquariums each year, with an astounding number of overall visits estimated at around 186 million.
Although the zoo is closed to the public until April 2017, the zoo will continue to host education programs such as outreach presentations at schools, monthly toddler classes for ages 2-5, and winter and spring break classes for ages 6-13. Learn more about Idaho Falls Zoo education opportunities by clicking here.
