Grand Jury: L.A. Zoo Is Tattered and Losing Members — Time for Private Steward
A Los Angeles County civil grand jury has concluded that the Los Angeles Zoo cannot continue under its current management model. The facility has deteriorated significantly while losing thousands of members in less than a year, and the panel recommends bringing in a private steward through a new public-private partnership.
The 2025-2026 grand jury report paints a stark picture of the zoo’s challenges. Facilities are falling into disrepair, maintenance has lagged, and the institution faces ongoing financial pressure that threatens its long-term survival.
Mark Smith
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Membership numbers have declined sharply. According to the report, paid memberships dropped from 36,914 in April 2025 to 28,440 by February 2026 — a 23 percent decrease in under a year. The jury linked the loss directly to the zoo’s aging infrastructure and limited new attractions.
The city-operated zoo is currently dealing with a roughly $1 million budget shortfall this fiscal year. Grand jurors noted that without major changes, the facility will continue to struggle to fund necessary repairs, new exhibits, and conservation programs that modern zoos rely on to stay relevant.
The report points out that nearly all successful zoos across the United States now operate through public-private partnerships. These arrangements typically bring in private operators or nonprofit partners who handle day-to-day management while the public sector retains ownership of the land and animals. The grand jury believes this model is the only realistic path forward for the L.A. Zoo.
Current governance involves the City of Los Angeles running the zoo while the Greater Los Angeles Zoo Association (GLAZA) manages memberships, concessions, marketing, and some fundraising. The grand jury found this split structure has created confusion and reduced accountability. A separate legal dispute over a $50 million endowment between the city and GLAZA has added further complications.
Grand jurors emphasized that the zoo plays an important educational and conservation role for Los Angeles residents and visitors. However, they warned that continued decline in facilities and attendance could eventually force difficult decisions about the institution’s future.
City officials have not yet issued a detailed response to the report. Past audits and reviews have raised similar concerns about governance and funding at the zoo, but meaningful structural changes have been slow to materialize.
The recommendation for a private steward comes at a time when many public institutions in California are exploring partnerships to improve efficiency and service quality. Proponents argue that private operators often bring specialized expertise in animal care, guest experience, and revenue generation that government agencies struggle to match.
Critics of privatization worry that shifting control could affect animal welfare standards or reduce public access and transparency. The grand jury report does not address those specific concerns in detail but stresses that any new partnership must maintain high standards for both animals and visitors.
The L.A. Zoo has long been a popular destination for families in Southern California. It houses hundreds of species and participates in breeding programs for endangered animals. However, competing attractions, rising costs, and shifting visitor habits have made it harder for the facility to maintain its edge without significant investment.
The civil grand jury’s findings add to growing pressure on city leaders to address the zoo’s long-standing challenges. Lawmakers and the mayor’s office will now decide whether to pursue the recommended public-private partnership or develop an alternative plan to stabilize the institution.
For now, the report serves as a clear warning: without bold action, the Los Angeles Zoo risks further decline in both its physical condition and its support from the public it was built to serve.
The full grand jury report is available on the Los Angeles County website.
