Answer:  CONSERVATION?  No

Although the Zoo bills itself as an organization with a mission of "conservation," it spends less than one percent annually for conservation.

Answer:  HUMAN AMENITIES?   Yes

CHECK IT OUT HERE

Answer:  OBSCENE SALARIES? - Yes 

Read the Philadelphia Magazine article HERE

• $297,000.00 - Zoo Director Pete Hoskin's annual compensation according to Charity Navigator (2005).

• FOR 2006, Pete Hoskins made $216,723 for five months work (that's $43,344.60 PER MONTH.  Annualized it is $520,135.00)

• VIK DEWAN's salary for six months work was $193,110 (that's $32,185 PER MONTH.  Annualized it is $386,220.00)

 

Together, the two CEOs made a total of $409,833.00, or 1.26 percent of the entire zoo's annual budget.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/4801.htm

 

It gets worse....in 2007, Vik Dewan made $320,708.00 and Pete Hoskins - whose last day of work at the Zoo was in May 2006 - was paid $147,000.00. 

 

By comparison (with other local non-profit institutions of comparable or larger size):

• Philadelphia Museum of Art:  Anne dHarnoncourt (Director and CEO) annual compensation is $289,176 (see Guidestar)

 

By comparison (with other zoos and two sanctuaries):

• The Elephant Sanctuary's (Hohenwald, TN) CEO annual compensation is $21,000.

• The Performing Animal Welfare Society's ( Galt, CA) CEO annual compensation is $35,861.

• The Memphis (TN) Zoo's CEO annual compensation is $118,400.

• The Oakland (CA) Zoo's CEO annual compensation is $144,400.

• The San Francisco (CA) Zoo's CEO annual compensation is $150,000.

• The Denver (CO) Zoo's CEO annual compensation is $154,172.

• The Phoenix (AZ) Zoo's CEO annual compensation is $163,231.

• The Atlanta (GA) Zoo's CEO annual compensation is $175,000.

• The Pittsburgh (PA) Zoo's CEO annual compensation is $181,196.

• The Columbus (OH) Zoo's CEO annual compensation is $192,186.

• The Woodland Park (Seattle, WA) Zoo'sannual compensation is $202,058.

• The Lowry Park (Tampa, FL) Zoo's annual compensation is $204,158.

• The Houston (TX) Zoo's CEO annual compensation is $206,051. 

 

By comparison (with much larger zoos):

Philadelphia Zoo net assets according to its 2007 IRS Form 990 (line 21) were $74,971,217.

CEO Compensation for 2007 was $320,708.

San Diego Zoo net assets according to its 2007 IRS Form 990 (line 21) were $282,704,517. 

CEO Compensation for 2007 was $223,402.

 

2003 Expenses of the Philadelphia Zoo

 

• Exhibit and Garden Care 6,491,000 - 19%

• Animal Care $ 5,064,000  - 15% 

• Contributed Goods and Services 4,579,000 - 14%

• General Management and Administration 4,456,000  - 13%

• Guest and Member Relations 3,430,000 - 10%

• Marketing and Development 3,692,000  - 11%

• Depreciation 3,531,000 - 10%

• Education and Conservation 2,531,000 - 8%

 

According to the Philadelphia Zoo's annual report for the year 2002, the number one expense of the Philly Zoo was "General Management and Administration," which accounted for over $5,000,000, NEARLY $800,000 MORE THAN THE ZOO's EXPENDITURES ON ANIMAL CARE THAT SAME YEAR.

 

 

2004 Expenses of the Philadelphia Zoo

 

• Exhibit and Garden Care $ 11,973,000 - 34%

• Animal Care $ 5,512,000  - 16% 

• General Management and Administration 4,491,000  - 13%

• Guest and Member Services 4,790,000 - 13%

• Contributed Goods and Services 2,082,000 - 6%

• Marketing and Advertising 1,535,000  - 4%

• Development and Fundraising 2,590,000 - 7%

• Education and Conservation 2,436,000 - 7%

 

AUDIT OF THE PHILADELPHIA ZOO - read about recommendations made by city officials over ten years ago, few of which have been implemented.