AZA stories

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a non-profit organization which works to advance zoos and aquariums in the fields of conservation, education, science, and recreation. It represents over 230 zoos and aquariums in the US and across the world, with a combined annual footfall of over 200 million visitors.

The Association’s rigorous accreditation standards mean that less than 10% of the 2,800 wildlife exhibitors licenced by the US Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare Act meet their requirements. Zoos and aquariums with AZA accreditation therefore uphold the highest standards for animal health and care while offering families an enjoyable, secure, and instructive experience.

More than 800,000 animals are cared for by AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, which are regarded as the foremost specialists in animal care and welfare. Furthermore, these organisations commit millions of dollars a year to funding scientific research, environmental protection, and educational initiatives.

The Association is committed to providing its members with the support they need to excel in the sector. It fosters collaborative animal care and conservation programmes, holds two conferences per year, and provides numerous networking and professional development opportunities, among other initiatives.

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums prioritise conservation as a crucial part of their efforts to save species from extinction. Every year, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums spend $230 million on field conservation alone, benefiting over 800 species in 130 countries. The AZA Conservation Grants Fund has contributed $7.7 million to date, to over 400 initiatives around the world.

The AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium community is focusing its conservation science, wildlife expertise, and outreach to millions of annual visitors on protecting species in the wild through AZA SAFE: Saving Animals from Extinction. The AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP) Programme is a collaborative animal management, breeding, and conservation initiative aimed at ensuring genetically diversified, self-sustaining populations of over 500 animal species.

A further key attribute of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums is their work as conservation hubs, connecting the public to the natural environment. Children account for more than 50 million visitors to AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, making certified zoos and aquariums critical for science and environmental education. Every year, AZA-accredited facilities train 40,000 instructors, providing instructional resources and hands-on activities for children who would otherwise have no direct contact with wild animals.