Among children and their parents, the so-called mini-zoos are becoming more and more popular (in other words, they are called rural zoos or contact zoos). The first such zoos opened outside the city. Farm owners organized separate enclosures for pets and birds and conducted excursions for children.
Zoos of the new format began to be very popular among visitors. A few years later, the innovation reached the cities and turned from the possibility of additional income for farmers into the main and profitable business of private entrepreneurs.
The main difference between the rural zoo and the usual one is that all birds and animals represented there are allowed to pet and feed. True, their number is usually small. Basically, these are rabbits, hens, ducks, geese, sheep, goats, pigeons, turkeys, piglets.
In addition, if the budget allows, you can also put some closed enclosures with small wild animals, aquariums with tropical fish, terrariums with reptiles. In some city mini-zoos even certain species of exotic and rare birds and animals are represented: ostriches, foxes, arctic foxes, peacocks, monkeys, crocodiles, parrots, scorpions, etc. Although, as owners of theme parks note, keeping large and predatory animals is not profitable: they require special care and special conditions of detention, in addition, they are not allowed to touch and feed from their hands. Experts say that you should not bet on a large number of "exhibits" and, especially, on rare items.
Preference is given to those animals from which additional income can be obtained (for example, to sell ostrich eggs, rabbits, knitted products from sheep's down, etc.), as well as those who can be picked up or touched (for example, from reptiles this is an iguana, beard, tortoiseshell, tilikva).
The main sources of income for the mini-zoo are paid entrance and additional services for visitors: selling souvenirs and animal feed, memory photos, holding children's events at the zoo, and selling animals.
If a similar rural zoo already exists in your city, it is advisable to find some kind of specialization that will allow you to rebuild from competitors. For example, instead of the usual pets, you can collect representatives of dwarf decorative breeds. Miniature horses, sheep or pigs are more expensive than their usual relatives, but are very popular among children and adults.
To place the enclosures, you need a spacious room. Moreover, it is desirable that it should be located, if not in the center, then at least in the city. In large cities, such zoo centers open near city parks. This is an optimal location, where there are a lot of your potential customers - parents with children. On the other hand, if the number of animals represented in you is large enough, one room can not do. And renting such a large area in the city center will cost a lot.
The second significant cost item is the purchase of the animals themselves, the necessary equipment and feed. All animals must be examined by a veterinarian and have the necessary vaccinations.
The staff will need an administrator, an animal care specialist who will feed and clean their enclosures, aquariums, terrariums and cages, an animator (if you plan to organize additional events for children), a guide who will accompany the guests of the zoo. You will also have to turn to the services of a veterinarian from time to time.
Think in advance about how you will attract visitors. The main target audience of mini-zoos and exotariums (exhibitions of rare exotic animals) are, of course, children. Use traditional advertising methods - print, outdoor, radio and television advertising. For example, posting posters in public transport is quite effective. Make arrangements with kindergartens and schools for guided tours at your zoo. By far, the most effective and low-budget advertising is word of mouth.
Try to increase the level of your services, look for your own competitive advantages, original ideas and “chips”. If your city is a recreational center and tourists often visit it, it is worth talking with local travel companies about including your zoo in the recommended program for visiting places of interest.
To open your own mini-zoo center will require at least 300 thousand rubles. The more diverse your exhibition will be, the greater success it will enjoy among visitors. Nevertheless, it is possible to open with a small number of animals, and in the future to invest part of the profit in the acquisition of new animals. The season starts from April-May and lasts until September-October. In winter, mini-zoos, as a rule, do not work, as many animals hibernate.
Sysoeva Lilia
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