Three parties urge Reykjavik to explore outsourcing its family zoo

Three parties on Reykjavik City Council have proposed that the city assess outsourcing the operation of its Family and Petting Zoo, mbl.is reports.

Independence Party councillor Bjarni Guðjónsson presented the proposal, which is backed by the Progressive Party, the Independence Party and Viðreisn. He said the zoo’s value included giving children their first encounters with Icelandic farm animals.

The zoo’s 2025 operating figures show a net contribution of 495 million krónur from the city. Expenses totalled 685 million krónur and revenue was 190 million. That means more than two krónur from the city were required for every króna paid by a visitor at the gate, Guðjónsson said.

He said 92 per cent of the zoo’s revenue came from admission fees, while sales of goods brought in just over eight million krónur. In his view, the zoo could develop other income sources, such as food sales, events, annual passes and business partnerships, to reduce the burden on city funds without raising costs for families.

Animal feed cost about seven million krónur last year, around 1.5 per cent of payroll costs, Guðjónsson said. He argued that the main expense lay in how the operation was organised, rather than in the animals.

He said any arrangement must protect animal welfare, professional animal care and the zoo’s educational role for preschool and primary school children. The proposed review would define those responsibilities, he said, adding that outsourcing would not mean the city relinquished responsibility.

The House of Animals opened in 1990 and the Family Park three years later, according to Guðjónsson.