An Elk Grove zoo could draw 1 million visitors a year with marquee animals, study says

Moving the Sacramento Zoo to Elk Grove and expanding its footprint with larger exhibits could attract 1 million visitors a year to the new site and pump hundreds of millions of dollars into the local economy, according to a feasibility study the city of Elk Grove released on Thursday.

The Sacramento Zoological Society for months discussed moving from its site in Land Park to Elk Grove, a change that would give it more space to show larger animals.

The feasibility study was a step in that process. It compared the Elk Grove concept with other zoos around the country and looked to what kind of visitors a new facility could expect to attract.

It estimated a built-out zoo would generate about $223 million of economic activity in Elk Grove over five years.

The study also looked at costs. The first phase of the project, which would include a visitor center and key animal exhibits, could cost as much as $206 million.

Jason Jacobs, the executive director and CEO of the Sacramento Zoological Society wants visitors and guests to experience animals in a different way than most traditional zoos.

“We want to make this the best zoo in Northern California, one of the best zoos in North America, but definitely one that resonates with the natural wildlife here in this region, and takes our guests from all over this region on a safari around the world and create some compelling experiences that show them how to make a difference for wildlife,” said Jacobs.

The Sacramento Zoo, at 14.7 acres, is too small for safari animals to call home. About 540,000 people visit the Sacramento Zoo each year, according to the study. Currently, the Sacramento Zoo is home to 433 different animals, across 110 species.

Elk Grove has dedicated 70 acres of land, near Lotz Parkway and Kammerer Road, specifically to relocating and expanding the zoo. The space reserved in Elk Grove would make the pending zoo larger than the Houston Zoo, which occupies 55 acres and the Fresno Zoo at 45 acres.

The move to Elk Grove would allow capacity for more iconic animals. Its plan includes a 23-acre African savanna feature as its marquee attraction. It could include large animals such as rhinos, lions and cheetahs.

In a town meeting, Elk Grove Mayor Bobbi Singh-Allen called the study the start of a “larger community conversation” deciding if Elk Grove taking on a zoo makes sense for the city.

“The Sacramento Zoo is a regional destination attracting half a million guests from Northern California and western Nevada every year,” said Singh-Allen. “Wherever the zoo is located it will create a memorable wildlife, educational, and family-friendly experience for the entire region.”

The new wildlife park would bring in more job opportunities to the city, including construction jobs and 197 full-time employees to work the park, compared to 86 at the Sacramento Zoo, according to the study.

The park would also feature engaging educational programs for students of all ages to learn about the different species of animals that would be housed. Kids would be able to play and climb alongside lemurs and monkeys in a jungle gym adjacent to the primates, according to the concept officials showed.

The next city council meeting is March 23, where the zoo will be a topic on the council’s agenda to review the proposal.

There are many steps that need to be taken before the approval is finalized. It does not yet have a name, for instance. It is unclear whether the “Sacramento Zoo” name will remain its name, or if it would be called the “Elk Grove Regional Zoo.”

This story was originally published March 12, 2022 at 5:25 AM.