Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden Granted Prestigious AZA Accreditation
Silver Spring, Maryland (September 18, 2019) – The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) has announced that the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden was granted accreditation by AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission.
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“AZA accreditation signifies Cincinnati Zoo’s active role in protecting our world’s wild animals and wild places while providing exceptional animal care and meaningful guest experiences,” said AZA President and CEO Dan Ashe. “Fewer than 10% of animal exhibitors registered with USDA have achieved AZA accreditation, so Cincinnati Zoo is truly a leader in the zoological profession.”
To be accredited, the Cincinnati Zoo underwent a thorough review to make certain it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards in categories which include animal care and welfare, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years in order to be members of the Association.
“The Cincinnati Zoo is proud to be a long-standing accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums. AZA accreditation is the “gold standard” for excellence in animal welfare, wildlife conservation and public education on wildlife issues,” said Cincinnati Zoo Director Thane Maynard.
The accreditation process includes a detailed application and a meticulous on-site inspection by a team of trained zoo and aquarium professionals. The inspecting team observes all aspects of the facility’s operation, including animal care and welfare; keeper training; safety for visitors, staff and animals; educational programs; conservation efforts; veterinary programs; financial stability; risk management; visitor services; and more. Finally, top officials are interviewed at a formal hearing of AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission, after which accreditation is granted, tabled, or denied. Any facility that is denied may reapply one year after the Commission’s decision is made.
The AZA inspection team specifically noted the following in their report:
- The culture of the Zoo, particularly the frontline staff, is impressive.
- The relationship with the community directly around the Zoo is outstanding
- The emphasis on animal records is commendable
- Curator and staff of World of the Insect commended for their outstanding care, presentation and overall professionalism
- Elephant staff and management commended for the advancements made in the program over the last few years
- Programs in conservation research and sustainability are of extremely high quality and models for the profession
- The ongoing re-investment program is commendable and as standards for achieving continuously high quality in animal care and habitats continue to increase the zoo may be faced with needing increased support from other sources
Cincinnati Zoo launched its More Home to Roam capital campaign last year to ensure continued growth and the ability to meet and exceed AZA standards.
About AZA
Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and ten other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.
About Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden
The world-famous Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is committed to inspiring visitors to care about wildlife and wild places. It was voted the #1 Best Zoo in a USA TODAY reader poll and has also received rave reviews from Child Magazine, Parents Magazine, USA Today and TripAdvisor. Over 1.8 million people visit the Zoo’s award-winning habitats, and more than 500 animal and 3000 plant species annually. The Zoo, an accredited member of the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) for almost 30 years, is internationally known for its success in the protection and propagation of endangered animals and plants and engages in research and conservation projects worldwide. Known as the #GreenestZooInAmerica, the Zoo is doing its part to conserve natural resources that are critical to saving wildlife and its habitats and is committed to greening its daily operations and reducing its impact on the environment with rain gardens, recycled building materials, solar panels and more. The Cincinnati Zoo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.