![]() When's the last time a ZAA member lost their accreditation? I'm not aware of any," AZA president and CEO Dan Ashe tells Axios. The other side: Critics say the ZAA, founded in 2005, exhibits a pattern of rubber-stamping institutions that lose AZA accreditation and exploit animals for entertainment. The group was laser-focused on animal welfare at a recent inspection and even caught some minor issues the AZA previously missed, Schmid told board members. ![]() Zoos seek accreditation to bolster public perception and access the animals and knowledge shared between member institutions.ĭriving the news: At a board meeting last week, new Columbus Zoo CEO Tom Schmid said officials should know in four to five weeks if the ZAA accepts the zoo's application for accreditation.Why it matters: The zoo is working to rebuild its reputation after a year marred by controversy, but this move could further escalate the taxpayer-supported nonprofit's problems. But some animal advocates have criticized the Zoological Association of America for lax enforcement of animal care standards and similar-sounding name.The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is thriving thanks to our community.After losing its gold-standard status with leading accreditor Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Columbus Zoo has applied to join a different organization. We have so much to celebrate and to be thankful for- the support of our heartfelt donors, a record-setting year of attendance, celebrating the birth of several endangered species, and contributing to many conservation programs locally and internationally. He added, “We deeply appreciate the unwavering support of our community despite many challenges created by past leadership. “Without question, the care and welfare of the animals remains our top priority.” “Being accredited by a third-party professional association is important, so we are exploring all options to continue fulfilling our mission and to continue our work with endangered and threatened species that need our help,” he said. Schmid said the Zoo welcomes standards and scrutiny that evaluates the institution. “In the last nine months, the Zoo team has moved mountains to make transformative changes that continue to make us a better Zoo with new team members, new policies, and more oversights that were in place at the time of the AZA inspection in July.” Jan Ramer, and former interim Zoo President and CEO Jerry Borin, who served until Schmid arrived. 6 and participated in the appeal to the AZA Board along with Board Chair Keith Shumate, Senior VP Animal Care and Conservation Dr. The statement from the zoo and Schmid reads, in full: Mayme Norman, vice president of philanthropy for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium We will continue moving forward and come out of this stronger than ever, thanks in large part to our incredible team and the support of our incredible community. Some points of pride include the heartfelt support from you – our donors, a record-setting year of attendance, celebrating the birth of several endangered species, and contributing to many incredible conservation programs locally and internationally. The care and welfare of the animals remain our top priority.ĭespite all the challenges this year, we have so much to celebrate and to be thankful for. To that extent, we will explore every option to continue fulfilling our mission and to continue our work with endangered and threatened species that need our help. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is and remains an outstanding institution here in Ohio, across the country, and around the world. Under Jerry Borin’s leadership since March 30 our team has moved mountains to make transformative changes that continue to make us a better Zoo with new policies and more oversights that were in place at the time of the AZA inspection in July. We promise to keep you informed of next steps. Regardless of the AZA’s decision, we will continue to move forward. Unfortunately, the AZA denied our appeal. A statement from the zoo’s vice president of philanthropy Mayme Norman reads in full:Įarlier this afternoon, our President and CEO Tom Schmid, members of our leadership team, along with Board Chair Keith Shumate, made a strong appeal to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Board of Directors requesting AZA grant the Zoo accreditation or have its accreditation tabled until 2022 while remaining accredited.
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