BEYOND BOUNDARIES
A YEAR OF INNOVATION
2023 annual report
FROM THE DESK OF THE DANA BROWN PRESIDENT & CEO, DWIGHT SCOTT
Dear Friends,
For over 100 years, guests have made happy memories at the Saint Louis Zoo. From generations of St. Louisans to those who have recently made a home here or who travel miles to see us, everyone has a unique story to tell. The Zoo means something different to everyone. As we move forward, we must balance preserving the Zoo everyone knows and loves while finding ways to innovate and connect with guests in new, meaningful ways.
2023 was a year when we broke boundaries. We offered several new experiences — giraffe feedings, the Winging It bird show and events like Endangered Species Day — and celebrated important milestones — announcing the Henry A. Jubel Foundation Destination Discovery; unveiling the new Mary Meachum locomotive at the Emerson Zooline Railroad; and celebrating the downlisted conservation status of scimitar-horned oryx. While the Zoo will forever be a nostalgic place for many, we hope all our new experiences offered a way for people to make brand-new memories with us and their loved ones.
I hope you enjoy our first-ever digital annual report — another innovation for us!
On behalf of our entire Zoo community, thank you for your support of our beloved organization.
We wouldn’t be the free, world-class, inclusive place we are without you.
2023 Highlights
Making the Best Zoo for the World
From conserving animals to offering an inclusive experience for guests, our teams work together to make the world a better place.
All Aboard! Celebrating 60 Years of Memories & Growing into the Future
The Emerson Zooline Railroad celebrated six decades of operation by welcoming a new locomotive.
Henry A. Jubel Foundation Destination Discovery Announced
Animal adventures will be at every turn in our new children’s area, slated to open in 2026.
New at the Zoo
We offered several new offerings to guests, including giraffe feedings and Friday night fun at HullabaZoo.
Studying Wildlife in Our Backyard
Team members from the Forest Park Living Lab Project, including staff from the Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine, worked to study wildlife in our beloved St. Louis park.
Sustainable Solitude: Conserving American Red Wolves
We welcomed new breeding wolves to the Saint Louis Zoo Sears Lehmann Jr. Wildlife Reserve.
Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park Evolves
Six new animals arrived at WildCare Park, and construction is underway, with a planned opening in 2027.
New commercial debuts: Get a Zoo Perspective
“Under, over, around and through … get a perspective that’s totally new!”
2023 Donors List & Financials
Thank you for supporting the Saint Louis Zoo! We are grateful for the generous support provided by our donors, Zoo members, partners, volunteers, and the taxpayers of the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County.
2023 at a glance
16,334
Animals in our care
Saint Louis Zoo, Saint Louis Zoo WildCare Park and Saint Louis Zoo Sears Lehmann Jr. Wildlife Reserve
