The Zoological Society of San Diego® (ZSSD) is a not-for-profit organization that operates the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park, and San Diego Zoo Conservation Research. The Society was founded on October 2, 1916, by Harry M. Wegeforth, M.D. It currently has a 12-member Board of Trustees headed by Berit Durler; Douglas G. Myers is the Society’s executive director.

The Zoological Society of San Diego is the largest zoological membership association in the world, with more than 250,000 member households and 130,000 child memberships, representing more than a half million people. Members enjoy free admission to the Zoo and the Wild Animal Park, a subscription to the monthly magazine ZOONOOZ, and other benefits. Both Zoo and Park are open every day of the year.

The 100-acre (40-hectare) Zoo is home to over 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. It is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park.