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Columbus Zoo earns accreditation after losing appeal for one last year
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced the zoo has earned accreditation by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA) after losing its appeal to restore its accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.The ZAA accreditation came after a four-day, on-site inspection in March by a team of experienced zoological professionals, a rigorous review period by the ZAA accreditation committee and full ZAA Board of Directors approval and voting process. The zoo was also given accreditation by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums (AMMPA), an international association and accrediting body specializing in marine mammals.“We are very proud that we continue to be recognized in our professional community as among the best facilities for caring for wildlife and contributing to conservation and education initiatives. We welcome the rigor of all accrediting bodies, and we strive to exceed these standards in any way we can. It is important for the larger zoological community to work together in all aspects to protect the profession and ensure institutions are meeting all best practices standards. Meeting or exceeding all accreditation standards only benefits the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium at every level and supports our commitment to fulfilling our mission to lead and inspire by connecting people and wildlife,” Tom Schmid, President/CEO of the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks, said in a statement. The zoo lost its appeal for accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums last year. The accreditation denial in October by the association, considered the nation’s top zoo-accrediting body, was a major blow to an institution once widely admired in its industry and by the general public. The accrediting body voiced concerns about the zoo’s acquisition of ambassador animals. A recent documentary, “The Conservation Game,” raised questions about how celebrity conservationists, including the famous Jack Hanna, acquired exotic animals. The zoo has since cut ties with animal vendors who don’t meet certain standards of animal care.
POWELL, Ohio —
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced the zoo has earned accreditation by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA) after losing its appeal to restore its accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The ZAA accreditation came after a four-day, on-site inspection in March by a team of experienced zoological professionals, a rigorous review period by the ZAA accreditation committee and full ZAA Board of Directors approval and voting process.
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The zoo was also given accreditation by the Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks & Aquariums (AMMPA), an international association and accrediting body specializing in marine mammals.
“We are very proud that we continue to be recognized in our professional community as among the best facilities for caring for wildlife and contributing to conservation and education initiatives. We welcome the rigor of all accrediting bodies, and we strive to exceed these standards in any way we can. It is important for the larger zoological community to work together in all aspects to protect the profession and ensure institutions are meeting all best practices standards. Meeting or exceeding all accreditation standards only benefits the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium at every level and supports our commitment to fulfilling our mission to lead and inspire by connecting people and wildlife,” Tom Schmid, President/CEO of the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks, said in a statement.
The zoo lost its appeal for accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums last year. The accreditation denial in October by the association, considered the nation’s top zoo-accrediting body, was a major blow to an institution once widely admired in its industry and by the general public.
The accrediting body voiced concerns about the zoo’s acquisition of ambassador animals. A recent documentary, “The Conservation Game,” raised questions about how celebrity conservationists, including the famous Jack Hanna, acquired exotic animals. The zoo has since cut ties with animal vendors who don’t meet certain standards of animal care.
