Press Room

Media Inquiries and Information

Welcome to ZooTampa’s online pressroom, designed to give media up-to-the-minute information on important conservation work, new exhibits, special events, births, and more. This press room provides a wealth of information for media, including press releases, a Speakers Bureau, fact sheets, downloadable videos, photos, logos, and request submission forms.

Press Releases

Media Downloads

Photo Gallery

Need photos of the Zoo for your story? Download our gallery for photos available for your use. Need something else? Let us know and we can get you additional photos specific to your story.

Download photos

Videos / B-Roll

We have compiled some clips of the Zoo for your use. Looking for something specific? Reach out to us and we would be happy to work with you on what you need to make your story a success!

Download b-roll

Speakers Bureau
Our Experts
You’d be surprised how many individuals, talents and backgrounds it takes to run the Zoo. ZooTampa is made up of a phenomenal team of experienced professionals in a variety of departments. Our staff experts are key to not only our day-to-day operations ensuring the highest quality of animal care and welfare for more than 1,000 animals but also to successes outside ZooTampa as we work to inspire conservation and protect and preserve wildlife.

Check out their areas of expertise below. For more information, please contact the Communications Department.

Stories, Filming, Access, & Asset Requests

Active and working media, bloggers, and influencers have the opportunity to cover ZooTampa for traditional or social media. Requests must be submitted at least 48 hours in advance. For more information, please contact the Communications Department at 347.366.5192 or media.relations@zootampa.org.

For assistance with traditional news, social media collaboration, celebrity visits, commercial production shoots, photo/video asset acquisitions, and other inquiries, please review the following guideline before thoroughly submitting a request to the Zoo’s Communications department.

We welcome the opportunity to assist credentialed members of the media with feature stories and editorial coverage of ZooTampa. Media must be accompanied by a member of the Zoo’s Communications Team while on Zoo grounds, and all interviews with Zoo employees are arranged through the Communications department. For more information, please contact the Communications Department at 347.366.5192 or media.relations@zootampa.org.

ZooTampa’s mission is to rescue, rehabilitate and care for animals; create exceptional personalized experiences that connect people with wildlife and each other in fun, immersive ways. We receive numerous requests to film at the Zoo, and consider only those filming and photography requests compatible with our mission or to advance strategic partnerships.

Click below to submit a filming and photography request form. Your application will automatically be sent to the Communications team.


Before submitting your application, please read carefully:

  • At least three (3) weeks’ notice is required for filming and photo requests and must be approved by the Communications team.
  • Taking photos or video for commercial purposes, including for stock images, advertising and merchandise, is prohibited without proper authorization from ZooTampa.
  • Location filming and photography requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Fees are incurred for commercial location shooting.
  • Kindly please allow up to two (2) business days for a response.
  • Pilot TV programs, student films, or unsold documentaries or films cannot be accommodated.​
  • Please limit production crews to essential personnel only, especially for filming in animal spaces or during our open hours.
  • ZooTampa cannot accommodate filming during peak attendance periods (i.e. holidays, weekends, spring break) due to increased attendance and impact on the guest experience.
  • If a filming request is approved, you’ll be asked to sign a location filming agreement.
  • ZooTampa reserves the right to cancel any shoot at any time if it is not in the best interest of Zoo animals, staff, or guests, or if it defies the Zoo’s mission or any of the guidelines outlined.



‘Zoofluencer’ Program at ZooTampa


ZooTampa is home to over 1,000 animals representing 350 species. Our vision is that everyone we touch is motivated to join us in taking action to protect and preserve wildlife.


Our hope is that as a Zoofluencer, you will partner with us in being a Conservation Champion, where you’ll proudly share our mission of rescuing, rehabilitating, and caring for animals; create exceptional personalized experiences that connect people with wildlife and each other in a fun, immersive ways.


Influencers who are chosen to partner with us each receive:

  • Complimentary admission (details below)

We ask that participants produce high-quality and engaging content highlighting their visit to the Zoo and, where applicable, their experience at special events that are hosted on site.


Media Admissions Policy

The Public Relations courtesy ticket policy is designed for business purposes to give working journalists an opportunity to experience and cover ZooTampa.  All decisions regarding courtesy tickets are at the discretion of the ZooTampa Public Relations department. The following information is meant to serve as a guideline to help media determine if they may be eligible for consideration. For more information, please contact the Communications Department at media.relations@zootampa.org

  • Qualifying media may request four (4) tickets once every 12 months.
  • Please fill out the media passes request form at least two (2) weeks prior to visit.
  • Once approved, an email confirmation will be sent to the requester from ZooTampa Public Relations.
  • Qualifying positions include the following in these news-related categories:

Print Media: *Editors, News Reporters, News Photographers, Publishers, Managing/Assignment Editors

Broadcast Media: News Producers, News Directors, News/Sports/Weather Anchors, and Reporters, Managing Assignment/Planning Editors, News Writers, Videographers

Social Media and Online Media: Bloggers, Freelance Writers, Editors affiliated with established news organizations or online publications

Media in travel, lifestyle, entertainment, business, consumer, sports, or related fields

  • Positions that do not qualify for ZooTampa courtesy tickets include sales, graphic artists, promotions, programming, technical, public relations, clerical, engineering, management, production, staff assistants, station managers, and general managers.
  • Freelance journalists must provide copies of current articles (published in the past 6 months) with the requester’s byline and publication date. Topically, the content provided must have some relevance to ZooTampa and zoological organizations.
  • When complimentary media passes are picked up at the membership window, the journalist will be asked to provide a current media outlet photo ID and a business card and/or driver’s license (i.e. magazine or freelancer requests). Tickets cannot be issued without proper credentials.
  • Tickets are issued to and can only be picked up by the requester.

Contact ZooTampa Communications Department

To be included on ZooTampa’s media distribution list and/or to request fact sheets, please complete the form at the bottom of this page. To contact a Zoo Communications team member, please email media.relations@zootampa.org with your name, title, affiliation, and contact information.

Contact ZooTampa Communications Department

Please review our booking tips before continuing

Outside Food & Drinks Policy

ZooTampa at Lowry Park offers a variety of delicious food for guests at several restaurants and concession stands throughout, but we understand that guests may need to bring outside food for special dietary needs. Acceptable and prohibited food items are listed below. For the convenience of our guests, there is a picnic area located outside the park near the main parking lot.

 Acceptable Items
  • Bottled water (max 20oz bottle, sealed) one per guest
  • Small snacks for young children
  • Baby food/baby formula
  • Soft-sided insulated bags no larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep (limit one per child)
  • Pre-purchased empty ZooTampa souvenir cups
  • Any food required for medical purposes and medically-indicated nutritional supplements
 Prohibited Items
  • Prepared or packaged food or meals
  • Alcohol
  • Glass or any open containers or water bottles filled with beverages
  • Hard-sided coolers of any size
  • Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep
  • Suitcases and soft-sided bags with wheels larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high

Prohibited Items

For the safety of our animals, guests and employees, the following items are not permitted to be brought into ZooTampa:

  • Any type of explosive or weapon
  • Knives or other sharp objects
  • Pepper spray
  • Alcoholic beverages
  • Marijuana
  • Illegal drugs
  • Straws
  • Clothing likely to create a danger or disturbance
  • Any hazardous items or materials

The following items are also prohibited to avoid blocking of walkways and/or trip hazards:

  • Segways
  • Hover boards
  • Two-wheeled scooters
  • Self-balancing electric vehicles
  • Shoes with wheels
  • Drones
  • Hard-sided coolers of any size
  • Soft-sided coolers larger than 8.5” wide x 6” high x 6” deep
  • Suitcases and soft-sided bags with wheels larger than 24” long x 15” wide x 18” high

Please leave any unnecessary articles secured within your vehicle to expedite your entry into the park.

We reserve the right to deny entry to anyone not observing Zoo Rules.

Pay For A Day Tickets

With a new Pay For A Day, Rest of Year Free ticket – for a limited time – you get unlimited admission through December 31, 2023 including access to our seasonal event series. Some blockout dates apply — see below for details. Not valid with any other discounts.

When does my Pay For A Day ticket expire?

For a limited time, new Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free tickets are valid from the day of purchase until 12/31/2023 Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free tickets which were purchased prior to October 1st, 2022 are valid until 12/31/2022.

What are the blockout dates?

3/11/23 – 3/19/23
11/24/23 – 11/26/23
12/26/23 – 12/31/23

Can I purchase a Pay For A Day ticket on a blockout date?

Yes! You can purchase a Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free ticket for first-time use on a listed blockout date and have full access to the park on that day. Blockout dates apply to repeat visitation.

Can I use my Pay For A Day ticket on blockout dates?

If you already have your Pay for a Day, Rest of Year Free ticket and wish to visit during a listed blockout date, please stop by the Zoo’s ticketing windows for alternate options:

  1. During blockout periods, Pay For A Day ticket holders have access to significantly discounted single-day tickets.
  2. For a limited time from the date of purchase, Pay For A Day tickets can be upgraded to a Zoo Membership (with no blockout dates).
I purchased a Pay For A Day ticket online. How do I get my actual ticket?

Bring a copy of your confirmation (or show the confirmation email on your mobile device) to expedite entry into the Zoo. At your convenience during your visit you can stop by the Tours & Guest Services kiosk located just inside the Zoo to print your physical pass. No need to stand in line at the ticket windows. Walk right in!
Still have questions? Email us or call (813) 935-8552 ext. 0.