LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR
2024 was a year of big changes — and big successes — for the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS). We launched a bold new brand identity featuring fresh logos, a refined mission, ision and ur ose, re am ed we sites and an e citing new loo for our communit s elo ed water tower.
These changes highlighted the incredible work happening across our organi ation li e ne er efore. e ro ided e ert care to nearl 2,000 animals including the first gorilla e er orn at the etroit oo , ad anced critical conser ation wor to rotect wild animals and their ha itats, e anded educational rograms within our communities and furthered our mission to create meaningful connections etween eo le, animals and the natural world so all can thri e.
e re thrilled to share a glim se of some of this incredible work in the 2024 annual report. While we could fill olumes with the s successes, this re ort ro ides a concise sna shot highlighting e data, im actful num ers and quic facts. Inside, ou ll meet some of the oo s newest residents, e lore our meaningful im act on our communities, and see how our e committments of animals, the en ironment and resources fuel our work.
hese achie ements are made ossi le the dedication of our staff, olunteers, donors, oard of directors, guests and communit . E er isit to the etroit oo or elle Isle ature enter, e er contri ution and e er word of su ort ignites ositi e change for animals and nature oth at home and around the world.
We are grateful for your support. Together, we can ring our mission to life.
Dr. Hayley Murphy, DVM Executive Director & CEO
INSIDE
4 -7 PEOPLE
Visitors and membership, education, and diversity and community engagement
8-11 ANIMALS
New arrivals, conservation and animal welfare
12-13 ENVIRONMENT
Sustainability
14-15 RESOURCES
Financials
Everyone who visits the Zoo creates a meaningful connection — and memories that last a lifetime. We are deeply grateful for the incredible support from our community. Here’s a look at the impact our guests made in 2024.
MEMBERSHIP AND VISITATION
1,207,030
Guests at the Detroit Zoo
106,306
Guests at the Belle Isle Nature Center
41,832 Member households
STAFF AND VOLUNTEERS
Here’s how the DZS team contributed in 2024.
465
Full-time, part-time and seasonal employees
2,292
Core, corporate and special event volunteers who contributed 60,933 hours
SPECIAL EVENTS
Whether it’s family-friendly fun or an adults-only evening, each of our events supports our mission. Here’s a look at some of our key events.
SUNSET AT THE ZOO
1,568 tickets sold
21+ AFTER HOURS EVENT SERIES
6,416 tickets sold
ZOO BOO AND JACK O’ LANTERN JOURNEY
47,907 tickets sold
WILD LIGHTS
124,910 tickets sold
BELLE ISLE NATURE CENTER
Operated by the DZS, the Belle Isle Nature Center provides free admission and programming to communities in the heart of Detroit.
282 Onsite and off-site programs
179 Field trips 54 Community partner engagements
EDUCATION
In 2024, our award-winning education programs ignited positive change in our community — and far beyond.
153,960
People served. The majority of these are in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties.
Of the 2,222 education programs hosted by the DZS, the three most common types were: Kids and families
82 COMMUNITY PARTNERS
242 CARE COMPANION KITS DISTRIBUTED TO PEDIATRIC PATIENTS AT AREA HOSPITALS
9,150 STUDENTS WHO RECEIVED A FREE EDUCATION EXPERIENCE AT THE ZOO THROUGH DAY AT THE ZOO FUNDING
DIVERSITY & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The DZS is dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can experience the wonder of wildlife. In 2024, we reaffirmed this commitment by prioritizing Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Accessibility (DEIA) in our strategic plan, building meaningful community partnerships and ensuring the Zoo and Nature Center remain welcoming spaces for all.
Two or more races
More than 100 DZS staff participated in a Disability Etiquette, Awareness and Understanding course.
729 participants from families of children living with chronic or terminal illnesses enjoyed a night to remember at Dream Night.
5,588 senior citizens in Macomb, Oakland and Wayne counties enjoyed a free day at the Zoo through the Senior Day program.
ANIMALS
Animals — whether in our care or in the wild — have always inspired and guided our mission. e are committed to hel ing animals thri e and creating meaningful connections with our guests that inspire them to protect wildlife at home and around the world.
1,909*
Animals in our care at the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center
*Invertebrates not included.
212*
Species in our care at the Detroit Zoo and Belle Isle Nature Center
92
Endangered species in our care
NEW ARRIVALS
In 2024, the Zoo became home to many exciting new additions, including it le , a rescued sea otter. ere are ust a few highlights.
Kalu African Lion
Motema First gorilla ever born at the Zoo
Patti and Ponya Red pandas
Atticus King penguin
Jagger Sloth bear
Lenny Crowned lemur
Cremini Southern cassowary
Two Taylor’s agamas
Two lappet-faced vultures
45 reticulated glass frogs
CONSERVATION
Conservation is at the core of our mission. In the last year, we made a meaningful difference — protecting wildlife from the smallest amphibians to the largest mammals and safeguarding our planet for future generations. Here’s a look at our impact in 2024.
6 Acres of trees planted in Kirtland warbler habitats to protect these iconic songbirds
7 Continents we work on to protect endangered species and habitats
12 SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction) programs we are actively involved in through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
15 Years celebrated of researching and monitoringeastern massasauga rattlesna es
17 Great Lakes piping plover chicks rescued, hand-reared by DZS staff and released along the shores of Lake Michigan in Michigan’s northern lower peninsula
60 Penguins studied in the Falkland Islands to research the impacts of tourism, pollution and disease on wild penguin populations
69 Conservation programs and partnerships
4 42 Striped newts released into the Apalachicola National Forest in Florida
1,000 Partula snails raised at the Detroit Zoo and released to their native lands of Tahiti
1,500 Fruit trees planted in Peru to prevent deforestation and offer a fruitful future for locals
2,400 School supply packets distributed to students and teachers along the Amazon River via a 25-year-long DZS and CONAPAC partnership
5,343
Puerto Rican crested toads released in Puerto Rico’s El Tallonal Reserve
8,040 Staff hours contributed directly to fieldconser ation
ANIMAL WELFARE
The Center for Zoo and Aquarium Animal Welfare and Ethics AA E , o erated the , uses data ac ed science to im ro e the li es of animals at the oo, ature enter and e ond.
1,275 Biological samples processed through the Zoo's endocrinology lab.
More than 2,000 hours spent conducting behavioral observations to inform animal care and generate scientific nowledge.
More than 2,250 training sessions occurred enabling animals to oluntaril artici ate in their own care, such as ta ing weights, accines, lood draws and foot care.
22,000 goal-based enrichment opportunities lanned for oo residents, encouraging natural eha iors such as foraging, in estigating and nesting.
NOTABLE WORK
reat A e eart ro ect A , headquartered at the etroit oo, is a networ of e erts underta ing clinical, athologic and research strategies to understand and treat cardiac disease in different ape species.
5
Zoos used the GAHP’s CX50 ultrasound machines to assess the health of great apes in their care
9 Zoos and aquariums utilized GAHP sonographers and cardiologists to perform exams on great apes such as chimpanzees and gorillas
192
Cardiac exams su mitted 51 institutes were re iewed by experts with the A
ENVIRONMENT
68 TONS RECYCLED
OF WASTE DIVERTED FROM LANDFILLS
SUSTAINABILITY
For wildlife to thrive, a healthy environment is essential. hat s wh we re committed to uilding sustaina le s stems that safeguard our lanet, dri e net ero rogress and romote uni ersal healing. ere s how we made an im act in 2024.
17 tons of food waste di erted from the landfill ia the udd s i a aste i ersion rogram.
98 schools in attendance at the 2024 ri ount reen chools ele ration at the etroit oo.
2,792 small electronic devices collected through the orilla A E orillas on the ine cam aign, earning the the il er ac Award for collecting the most de ices in orth America. his annual rec cling challenge hel s rotect wild gorilla ha itats.
100 percent of electricit urchased from renewa le energ generation.
2,001 carloads and 85 tons of electronics recycled through our annual E-recycling Event
$9,000 gi en to sustaina l minded students in acom , a land and a ne counties through the reen ri e Award rogram.
$1 million in grant funding to install nati e lants in the u coming isco er rails.
RESOURCES
$167 MILLION
PHILANTHROPY
Generous donor support makes a lasting impact. Every donation fuels our mission and champions conservation, animal well-being, education and environmental sustainability. Together, we are igniting positive change for animals and nature.
2024 GIFTS
eneral su ort gi s a ital ro ect gi s Program and endowment gi s
rants and general su ort gi s to the Belle Isle Nature Center ear end a eal gi s i s to su ort animal enrichment through the Giving Zoo Day campaign
$5,637,763
$1,930,276
$1,518,923
$141,620
$99,064
$16,557
13 CONSECUTIVE YEARS WITH A U A RATING AND AN "EXCEPTIONAL" DESIGNATION FROM CHARITY NAVIGATOR
FINANCIALS
In 2024, we strengthened our commitment to being responsible stewards of the resources entrusted to us. ur 2024 financial sna shot re ects our dedication to transparency, operational excellence and meaningful investment in our community.
$55,171,642 2024 operating revenue
Earned revenue, $27.4 million
$54,361,831
2024 operating expenses
27% Park operations and facilities, $14.7 million 19% Animal care, $10.5 million
Guest experience, $7.7 million
Administration, $5.9 million
Education, programs and donated services, $6.1 million
Capital projects and other, $4.9 million
Fundraising, $2.4 million
Marketing, $2.2 million
