AZA, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, announced the accreditation of 27 world-class institutions during its Mid-Year Meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. An independent Accreditation Commission reviewed each application and confirmed that they met AZA's standards for animal wellbeing, care, and management.
“Earning AZA accreditation shows an institution’s commitment to the global standard of animal care and wellbeing,” says Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
“Each year, we raise and adapt our standards to meet the evolving needs of the animals in our care and the communities we serve. We congratulate the leadership and staff whose hard work and dedication make this achievement possible.”
A global standard
The following facilities earned AZA accreditation:
- Aquarium of the Pacific - Long Beach, California
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum - Tucson, Arizona
- Atlantis Dubai - Dubai, United Arab Emirates
- Butterfly Pavilion - Westminster, Colorado
- Caldwell Zoo - Tyler, Texas
- Discovery Cove - Orlando, Florida
- Disney’s Animal Kingdom - Lake Buena Vista, Florida
- Honolulu Zoo - Honolulu, Hawaii
- Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens - Jacksonville, Florida
- Landry's Downtown Aquarium Denver - Denver, Colorado
- Landry’s Downtown Aquarium Houston - Houston, Texas
- Lubee Bat Conservancy - Gainesville, Florida
- Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium - Sarasota, Florida
- Parc Omega - Québec, Canada
- San Diego Zoo - San Diego, California
- San Diego Zoo Safari Park - Escondido, California
- Santa Barbara Zoo - Santa Barbara, Califorina
- SEA LIFE Grapevine Aquarium - Grapevine, Texas
- SeaWorld Orlando - Orlando, Florida
- SeaWorld San Diego - San Diego, California
- Singapore Oceanarium - Singapore
- St. Augustine Alligator Farm - St. Augustine, Florida
- Steinhart Aquarium - San Francisco, California
- Zoo Atlanta - Atlanta, Georgia
- Zoo Knoxville - Knoxville, Tennessee
- Zoo Miami - Miami, Florida
- ZooTampa at Lowry Park - Tampa, Florida
AZA accreditation involves a comprehensive application process and a thorough multi-day on-site inspection conducted by an independent team of zoological specialists.
See also: From accreditation to action: AZA’s impact on the future of conservation
The inspection team reviews all facets of the facility’s operations, including animal care and wellbeing, veterinary services, staff training, educational initiatives, conservation activities, financial health, risk management, governance, and visitor services.
ZooTampa
Afterwards, detailed reports from both the inspection team and the facility are carefully assessed by the Commission. Eventually, the Commission conducts a formal hearing with the facility’s senior officials, leading to a final decision to grant full accreditation, provisional accreditation for one year, or denial.
A thorough review guarantees that every facility has satisfied and will uphold growing standards. AZA facilities must undergo this demanding and extensive accreditation process every five years as a requirement for Association membership.
Out of the 27 accreditation applications evaluated at the AZA Mid-Year Meeting, one applicant, Parc Omega, has achieved new accreditation. Parc Omega was also part of the Pathway Toward Membership programme.
Following these accreditation decisions, the number of AZA-accredited facilities stands at 254 across 12 countries.
Earlier this month, AZA launched the Director’s Edge executive leadership development series, with its first cohort members including CEOs and directors of AZA-accredited zoos, aquariums, and related organisations.
