What does it mean to be AZA-accredited?

AZA Accreditation Involves: The Accreditation Commission evaluates every zoo or aquarium to make sure it meets AZA’s standards for animal management and care, including living environments, social groupings, health, and nutrition. … AZA’s accreditation standards are intensely detailed.

How many zoos are AZA-accredited?

242 The total number of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums is 242. This information was updated in November 2021. You can also search for AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums by location. Find a zoo or aquarium near you.

What zoos are not AZA-accredited?

  • The Gorilla Foundation.
  • Lindsay Wildlife Museum.
  • Micke Grove Zoological Society.
  • Moonridge Animal Park.
  • Orange County Zoo.
  • Orangutan Foundation International.
  • Project Survival Cat Haven Wild Animal Park.

Is AZA just in America?

AZA is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, United States and accredits zoos. There are 238 accredited facilities as of 2019, primarily in the US, but also a handful in eleven other countries. … Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Abbreviation AZA
Website www.aza.org

Are AZA-accredited Zoos bad?

Association of Zoos and Aquariums-accredited (AZA) facilities are beneficial because of the high standards they exemplify in animal welfare, conservation, research, education, and recreation.

How does AZA work?

The Accreditation Commission evaluates every zoo or aquarium to make sure it meets AZA’s standards for animal welfare, care, and management, including living environments, social groupings, health, and nutrition. Every animal at AZA-accredited institutions undergoes a thorough welfare assessment at least once a year.

Is the Bronx Zoo part of the AZA?

As a result of these rigorous assessments, AZA proudly announces the accreditation of the following 31 facilities, including three new facilities: Assiniboine Park Zoo, Canada. Binder Park Zoo, Mich. Bronx Zoo/WCS, N.Y.

Is Busch Gardens Tampa AZA-accredited?

The Association of Zoos & Aquariums has granted accreditation to Busch Gardens. … AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and eight other countries.

How much does it cost to get AZA-accredited?

Employees of an AZA-accredited Institution, Certified Related Facility, Conservation Partner, Society Partner, or Commercial Member are eligible to apply. Professional Affiliate members have access to upgraded benefits. $95/year Download an application (PDF) or register to apply online.

Is Virginia Safari park AZA?

Recently, USDA announced complaints against the Gulf Breeze Zoo in Florida and the Reston Zoo in Virginia, two facilities (unaccredited by the AZA) owned by the same parent facility, Virginia Safari Park. …

Is Disney’s animal Kingdom AZA accredited?

Because of this team’s dedication and hard work, Disney is a recognized leader in animal care and conservation. Most recently, that recognition included Disney’s Animal Kingdom and Disney’s Animal Kingdom Lodge once again earning accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).

Is Adventure Aquarium ethical?

Adventure Aquarium is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), and is held to the absolute highest standards in animal care and exhibition.

Is the Houston Zoo AZA-accredited?

When guests visit an AZA-accredited facility such as the Houston Zoo, they can be assured that all the animals are receiving excellent care. … The Houston Zoo has been a treasured member of the Houston community for nearly 100 years, connecting communities with animals to inspire action to save animals in the wild.

Is Six Flags Safari AZA-accredited?

Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, the Thrill Capital of Northern California, in association with the Zoological Association of America (ZAA), one of the largest nonprofit wildlife organizations in the country, today announced that Six Flags Discovery Kingdom received ZAA accreditation for demonstrating the highest level of …

What are AZA standards?

AZA standards are performance-based to allow them to be applied to a variety of different situations and cases. AZA is continuously raising its standards as science continues to learn more and more about the species in our care. Accreditation is rescinded if AZA standards are not maintained.

What is a primary difference between an AZA-accredited zoo and an AZA certified related facility?

The inspection and review process falls under the authority of the Accreditation Commission, but Related Facilities are not considered accredited. They are referred to as AZA-certified. Like accreditation, certification is required every five years.

Is Oklahoma City Zoo accredited?

The OKC Zoo is a fully accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the American Association of Museums and is accredited as a botanical garden. To learn more about the OKC Zoo visit okczoo.org.

How many non accredited zoos are there?

While there are 230 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, there are as many as 2,000 non-accredited facilities. Many of them are roadside menageries that promote the trade in wildlife, allow dangerous public contact with juvenile carnivores, and provide deficient care of animals.

How often are AZA inspections?

two times annually Inspections occur two times annually. For those institutions appearing before the Commission in March, inspections generally occur sometime between October and January. For those institutions appearing before the Commission in September, inspections generally occur sometime between April and July.

Who actually owns the Bronx Zoo?

the Wildlife Conservation Society Today, as the largest metropolitan zoo in the country, it houses 4,000 animals of more than 650 different species across 265 acres of land. The Bronx Zoo is actually run by the Wildlife Conservation Society, founded as the New York Zoological Society in 1895.

What is the purpose of AZA?

AZA is the independent accrediting organization for the best zoos and the best aquariums in America and the world, assuring the public that when they visit an AZA-accredited facility, it meets the highest standards for animal care and welfare.

Is the Bronx Zoo Worth It?

This is one of NYC’s treasures. It’s been sad to see that the Zoo has fallen victim to budget cuts in the city in recent years, and has had to close several exhibits. It’s still magnificent, though, and is well worth a visit.

Is Northwest Trek ethical?

We are nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), which ensures rigorously high standards of animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, education and more.

Are Zoos ethical Aza?

Despite the high standards of AZA zoos and aquariums, some individuals object to zoos on an ethical basis. Some people believe that animals have an intrinsic right to liberty and, therefore they conclude all zoos are inherently wrong, Dr. Hutchins said.