Website privacy policy: sandiegozoo.org, sdzsafaripark.org, sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org, sdzwa.org, zoomember.com, sandiegozookids.org, animals.sandiegozoo.org, events.sandiegozoo.org, zoofoodandwine.com, sdzglobalacademy.org, science.sandiegozoo.org, kids.sandiegozoo.org, travel.sandiegozoo.org, stories.sandiegozoo.org, weddings.sandiegozoo.org, shopzoo.com, library.sandiegozoo.org, repository.sandiegozoo.org, ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/, and sandiegozoo100.org, rev. November 4, 2026.
This Policy applies to all websites, mobile applications, and digital services operated by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.
OVERVIEW
The Zoological Society of San Diego D/B/A San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance ("Our", "Us" or "We") operates the Websites listed above and recognizes the importance of protecting the privacy of users, members, donors, and visitors (collectively "User", "You" or "Your"). San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance collects personally identifying information only as described in this policy. The name, address, and payment information (if applicable) that a User might provide when using these Websites may be processed or disclosed by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance as permitted under the Websites' respective Terms of Use, which a User agrees to upon utilizing the information and services of the Websites. By using a number of security technologies in our Websites, We maintain, as a priority, the privacy of your information. We also adhere to strict policies in attempting to prevent the unauthorized use of your personal information. This policy applies only to Our Websites and not to our sponsors' or third-party partners' websites to which We link.
INFORMATION WE COLLECT
Information You Provide
We collect information you provide directly, including when you purchase tickets or memberships, make a donation, register for programs or events, or contact us. This may include your name, address, email address, phone number, and payment information.
Information Collected Automatically
We utilize cookies, which are small pieces of information sent to your web browser by a website that you visit. Cookies enable San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance to relate a visitor's use of our Websites to information that a visitor may have specifically and knowingly provided. Any voluntarily provided information may be used for editorial, marketing, or promotional purposes. You can set your browser to not accept cookies. By doing so, some websites or portions of websites may not function properly. By using Our Websites and not disabling cookies, You consent to their use for the purposes described in this policy.
Information collected automatically may include type of operating system, type of browser, IP address, website visits before and after coming to Our Websites, UDID (mobile devices), links clicked, and standard server log information. This information is used to monitor site usage and traffic patterns. Statistical aggregate information may be disclosed publicly for business marketing purposes but is always devoid of personally identifying information.
Facial Scanning Data (Cheetah Entry)
By purchasing a ticket or membership purchase and entering an SDZWA facility you are providing your affirmative consent that SDZWA may use facial scanning technology (which collects biometric data) at park entry and re-entry points to verify identity for park access. Facial scanning data is used solely for entry verification, is not sold or shared with third parties except as necessary to operate the entry system under strict confidentiality obligations and is deleted within 30 days of your visit or membership expiration, whichever is applicable.
HOW WE USE YOUR INFORMATION
We use the information we collect to process transactions, fulfill orders, administer memberships, process donations, communicate with you about your account or visit, send renewal notices and program updates, and improve our Websites and services.
The personally identifiable information that You provide to Us may be combined with other personally identifiable information from Our records and other sources to make Our future marketing efforts more efficient. Cookies and basic information may be used for targeting and retargeting of messages across various websites for internet-based advertising, including sharing cookie data with third-party advertising vendors.
To opt out of information sharing for advertising purposes, see the Opt-Out section below.
INFORMATION SHARING
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance may share your information with carefully selected third-party service providers for purposes including fundraising and membership marketing and fulfillment, membership processing, data analytics, and advertising optimization. Once We share your information with a third party, such information becomes subject to such third party's privacy practices.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance reserves the right to disclose your information where necessary or appropriate, such as to respond to a legal process or request from a governmental agency.
We do not sell your personal information.
CHILDREN AND PRIVACY
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is concerned about protecting children's privacy. If You are under the age of 13, we do not want your personal information. Please do not submit any personal information to Us. We encourage parents to actively protect their children's privacy by instructing them never to provide personal information to any individual or organization without parental permission.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance will never knowingly request personally identifiable information from anyone under the age of 13 without prior verifiable parental consent. If we become aware that a child under 13 years of age has provided us with such information without consent, we will take appropriate action to remove such information from our files.
If a parent or guardian becomes aware that a child under 13 years of age has provided such information to us, they should contact us at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Attention: Donor Privacy Policy, P.O. Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112.
For minors (under 18), a parent or legal guardian agrees to facial scanning at the time of ticket or membership purchase and park entry.
SECURE SHOPPING
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance has incorporated current Internet security standards into the design of the secure purchase areas of its Websites. We monitor network traffic to identify unauthorized attempts to access, upload, or change information on the Websites and across Our network. Transactions on our Websites are protected using using industry-standard encryption..
If you believe your payment card has been used without authorization in connection with a transaction on our Websites, please contact your card issuer promptly and follow its reporting procedures. Unauthorized use of a credit card is generally subject to protections provided by applicable law and your card issuer’s policies.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance requires the use of Your name, e-mail address, shipping address, and credit card number/expiration date in order to process and fulfill Your order.
DONOR & MEMBER PRIVACY
Introduction
The Zoological Society of San Diego D/B/A San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is committed to respecting the privacy of Our members and donors. This section outlines how San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance collects, uses and protects member and donor information. With respect to our donation and membership fundraising practices, we abide by The Association of Fundraising Professional's (AFP) Donor Bill of Rights and eDonor Bill of Rights, which requires that we handle all information about our members and donors with respect and with confidentiality to the full extent provided by law. These may be found at: https://afpglobal.org and generally include donors:
1. To be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
2. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
3. To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.
4. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
5. To receive appropriate acknowledgment and recognition.
6. To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
7. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
8. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
9. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
10. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.
Information Collection and Sharing
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance will collect member and donor information when processing monetary or in-kind donations, establishing San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance membership, completing online purchases, registering for San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance programs or events and when providing customer or donor stewardship services. We may use your information to send you transactional receipts, renewal notices, upgrade offers, park updates and newsletters, as well as occasional mailings and emails about San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and its programs that We think might be of interest to you.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance may share member and donor information with Our third-party service providers to help us steward, retain and expand our member and donor base. These services may include membership marketing and fulfillment, membership and donation processing and data analytics.
Opt-Out
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance provides you with the opportunity to exercise an opt-out choice if you do not want to receive member or donor communications from Us, direct mail offers, telemarketing offers, emails or updates, or if you do not want Us to share your personally identifiable information with our third-party service providers. This will prevent the sharing of your information and will cease all communications not required by law.
California residents have the right to delete their personal information, as long as it is not required to facilitate your membership, donation, ticket purchase, or other transaction necessary to facilitate item usage and ensure appropriate financial and operational requirements.
To opt out of communications or to request account deletion visit https://sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org/contact or call us at 619-231-0251 (daily, 8:30am-5pm PT).
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance also reserves the right to disclose your information in circumstances that San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance deems necessary or appropriate, such as to respond to a legal process or request from a governmental agency.
Consent and Changes To Our Donor Privacy Policy
By using our Websites, purchasing a membership, making a donation, or visiting our Parks, You consent to this Privacy Policy and the applicable Terms of Use. This Privacy Policy may be changed at any time. Please check this page periodically for any changes. Your continued use of Our Websites or services following the posting of any changes constitutes Your acceptance of the changes.
For questions about this Privacy Policy, contact us at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, Attention: Privacy Policy, P.O. Box 120271, San Diego, CA 92112, or by email at membership@sdzwa.org.