The Amarillo City Council on Tuesday approved a long-term lease agreement that will shift day-to-day management of the Amarillo Zoo to the nonprofit organization Amarillo Zoo & Sanctuary, Inc., a move city leaders say is designed to modernize the facility while maintaining public ownership.
Under the agreement, the zoo will remain a city-owned asset, including the land, buildings, and all animals currently housed at the facility. However, Amarillo Zoo & Sanctuary, Inc. will take responsibility for the zoo’s daily operations. The nonprofit is expected to guide improvements to the zoo while emphasizing conservation efforts, educational programs, and community engagement.
City officials describe the arrangement as a partnership that combines public oversight with nonprofit management. The goal is to create a stronger and more sustainable future for the zoo while ensuring that it continues to serve residents and visitors as a public resource.
The lease agreement has an initial term of 20 years, running through December 30, 2046. If certain requirements are met, the agreement allows for three additional renewal periods of five years each. To qualify for those renewals, AZS must remain in compliance with the lease and obtain accreditation from either the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or the Zoological Association of America. Accreditation from these organizations is widely recognized as an indicator that zoos meet established standards for animal care, conservation work, and professional operations.
Financially, the lease is structured around a symbolic payment of $1 per year. The nominal fee reflects the city’s intention to prioritize the operation and improvement of a public zoo rather than generate revenue from the property.
In addition to the lease arrangement, the city may provide grant funding of up to $900,000 during the first six fiscal years of the partnership. Officials say the funding is designed to help AZS manage the transition to nonprofit management while building new sources of revenue through memberships, sponsorships, donations, and programming.
The proposed funding schedule gradually decreases over time as the organization becomes more financially independent. In the first fiscal year, the city could provide $150,000. That amount rises to $250,000 in the second year before declining to $200,000 in the third year. In years four through six, the potential funding drops to $150,000, $100,000, and $50,000 respectively.
City leaders emphasized that the funding plan does not create a guaranteed multi-year obligation. Each year’s funding must be approved through the city’s standard budget process, meaning council members retain the authority to decide whether and how much money is allocated annually.
Beyond finances, the agreement places several requirements on how the zoo must operate under nonprofit management. The facility must continue to function as a community education center, preserving programs that have long served families and schools throughout the region.
Existing initiatives such as field trips for students, youth camps, and outreach programs will remain protected under the agreement. Any significant changes to those programs would require approval from the city council, ensuring that educational access remains a priority.
Animal care standards are also clearly outlined in the lease. The city will maintain ownership of all animals currently at the zoo, and council members will retain authority related to animal oversight. The agreement requires that a veterinarian experienced in caring for zoological species be available to provide routine medical care as well as respond to emergencies involving animals.
Supporters of the agreement say the partnership offers a path toward revitalizing the zoo while maintaining public accountability. By pairing city ownership with nonprofit management, officials believe the arrangement can encourage innovation, attract additional funding, and strengthen the zoo’s role as an educational and conservation-focused destination for the Amarillo community.
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