The AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) independent Accreditation Commission met during the AZA Annual Conference in Baltimore to review the latest round of applications for accreditation. In order to gain AZA accreditation, applicants must submit a thorough application and undergo a multiple-day inspection by an independent team of zoo professionals.
During the on-site visit, the inspectors analyse every aspect of the facility’s operation, including animal welfare and well-being; veterinary care; keeper training; safety for visitors, staff, and animals; educational programs; conservation efforts; financial stability; risk management; governance; and guest services.
The team then produces a detailed report that is evaluated by the Accreditation Commission, and officials from the facility take part in a formal hearing. At this point, accreditation can be fully granted, provisionally granted for one year, or denied.
Approved applicants
At the latest hearing, 24 of the applications were previously accredited facilities, and three were new applicants. There were also two applicants for certification who were also previously certified and one new applicant for certification. Later this month, seven facilities will have virtual accreditation hearings.
The approved applicants for AZA accreditation during the AZA Annual Conference include:
- Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum – [New Member]
- Birmingham Zoo
- Brandywine Zoo
- Buffalo Zoo
- Capron Park Zoo
- David Traylor Zoo of Emporia
- Detroit Zoo
- Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History
- Lake Superior Zoo
- Lee Richardson Zoo
- Little Rock Zoo
- Oregon Zoo
- Red River Zoo
- Rolling Hills Zoo
- Scovill Zoo
- SEA LIFE Aquarium at LEGOLAND California Resort
- SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium
- SeaWorld San Antonio
- Trevor Zoo
- Turtle Back Zoo
- Wildlife Safari
- The Wilds
- Wonders of Wildlife – [New Member]
The approved applicants for certification include:
- Duke University Lemur Center
- Endangered Wolf Center
- Rivendale Wildlife Sanctuary – [New Member]
A focus on providing the best animal care
“The public expectations for animal care are constantly increasing, as are our own, which is why AZA’s accreditation standards are focused on providing the best animal care possible,” says Dan Ashe, president and CEO of AZA.
“Our rigorous accreditation standards evolve based on modern animal research, ensuring a process the public can trust. We applaud and admire these exceptional zoos, aquariums, and related facilities on meeting the ‘gold standard’ for a modern zoological facility.”
On this occasion, two facilities were denied accreditation: African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio, and Squam Lakes Natural Science Center in Holderness, New Hampshire. As existing members, these organisations have 30 days to appeal the decision to the AZA board of directors’ Executive Committee.
If this occurs, the Executive Committee has 45 days to decide if the full AZA board of directors should consider the appeal at its next regularly scheduled meeting. The AZA board can overturn or modify Commission decisions, although it is rare to do so. If the denial is upheld, both facilities will be eligible to apply for AZA accreditation again in September 2023, and the earliest they could regain accreditation would be March 2024.
There are currently 238 AZA-accredited facilities and 15 AZA-certified related facility members throughout the US and 12 other countries.
Last month, AZA declared its support for big cat legislation in the US, urging the US Senate to progress with swift action following the passage of a new act that protects large mammals.
