![]() The Columbus Zoo appealed the AZA's decision to revoke its accreditation, but the organization upheld its original determination in December 2021. Accredited organizations must go through the accreditation process every five years.Īccreditation impacts eligibility for funding and grants from some foundations, corporations or other funding sources, and exempts institutions from certain government requirements, especially at the state level.Īccredited AZA members also are eligible to participate in animal exchange programs with other member zoos and aquariums and the AZA's animal conservation programs. The AZA's accreditation process helps ensure its member facilities are meeting industry standards that emphasize animal welfare and care, veterinary programs, conservation, education and safety, the AZA's website said. ![]() The AZA is the industry's top accrediting body for zoos and aquariums in the United States and a dozen other countries. What is the Association of Zoos and Aquariums? "The outcome of our recent inspection really demonstrates how far we have come,” Schmid said. The AZA's December inspection raised no major concerns. Schmid said the zoo has a new governance model in place and has made changes to its animal acquisition and deposition policies, which the AZA noted as a point of achievement following its most recent visit. Zoo leaders have previously said they'd already dealt with the animal acquisition issues and missteps by previous leadership. The organization cited concerns about the zoo's repeated animal transfers with non-AZA members to supply baby animals for entertainment purposes, as well as "inappropriate financial management issues by former leadership." The AZA revoked the zoo's accreditation in October 2021. More: Columbus Zoo CEO '99.9%' confident accreditation will return in March "From restructuring our animal care program to the development of over 30 new financial policies and procedures, we are a much stronger institution today." We have accomplished so much over the last 18 months," zoo CEO Tom Schmid said in a news release. “I’m proud of our team, both our staff and our board of directors. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) granted the Columbus Zoo accreditation following an inspection in December, the zoo announced Monday. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has regained accreditation with the industry's top accrediting body nearly 18 months after it was revoked.
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