Bronx Zoo Ticket Fee Settlement: $990K

Consumers who purchased electronic tickets to the Bronx Zoo through its website during the eligible period and were charged processing fees.

A Bronx Zoo ticket order number is required to submit a claim.

The Wildlife Conservation Society, the nonprofit that runs the Bronx Zoo, has agreed to a $990,000 class action settlement to resolve claims that it charged online ticket buyers hidden processing fees in violation of New York law.

The lawsuit alleges that consumers purchasing Bronx Zoo tickets online were not properly informed about added processing fees until after ticket selection. Plaintiffs argue this lack of transparency made the charges illegal under state law, which mandates clear upfront disclosure of all costs.

The Wildlife Conservation Society, while denying any wrongdoing, agreed to settle to avoid further litigation. The settlement applies specifically to purchases made on the Bronx Zoo website between August 28, 2022, and January 16, 2024.

Under the Terms of the Settlement

Eligible consumers can receive a pro rata cash payment based on how much they paid in processing fees for electronic ticket purchases. The actual amount of each payment will depend on the total number of claims filed and the fees paid by each claimant.

In addition to monetary relief, the Wildlife Conservation Society has agreed to revise its pricing practices. It will either stop charging processing fees altogether or disclose all such fees before customers choose their tickets.

This settlement aims to provide fair compensation to Bronx Zoo visitors and enforce consumer protection standards for transparent pricing.