AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums undergo a thorough review that includes a detailed accreditation application as well as a multiple day on-site inspection by a team of experts from around the country. Learn more about how AZA Accreditation works.
September 2011 Accreditation Results
AZA is pleased to announce the results of the Accreditation Commission hearings held in September 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.
AZA welcomes two new accredited members - the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward, Alaska and the Lake Superior Zoo in Deluth, Minn.
Accredited for another cycle were African Safari Wildlife Park, Port Clinton, Ohio; Birmingham Zoo, Inc., Birmingham, Ala.; Brandywine Zoo, Wilmington, Del.; Buffalo Zoological Gardens, Buffalo, N.Y.; David Traylor Zoo of Emporia, Emporia, Kan.; Detroit Zoological Park, Royal Oak, Mich.; Elmwood Park Zoo, Norristown, Pa.; Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, West Yellowstone, Mo.; Jackson Zoological Park, Jackson, Miss.; Lee Richardson Zoo, Garden City, Kan.; Lincoln Children's Zoo, Lincoln, Neb.; Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden, Evansville, Ind.; Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Eatonville, Wash.; Parque Zoologico de Leon, Leon, Guanjuato, Mexico; Red River Zoo, Fargo, N.D.; Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, R.I.; Scovill Zoo, Decatur, Ill.; SeaWorld San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas; Six Flags Discovery Kingdom, Vallejo, Calif.; Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, N.H.; Trevor Zoo, Millbrook, N.Y.; Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange, N.J.; The Wilds, Cumberland, Ohio.
Certified for another cycle was the Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka, Mo.
Update: 2012 Accreditation Standards
The 2012 edition of the Accreditation Standards and Related Policies will be posted here mid-late January after the new elephant standards are finalized by the Elephant TAG. If you would like a copy of the 2012 Standards without the elephant standards please contact the Accreditation Department, otherwise please check back in mid to late January.
The 2012 application and guide book are available by clicking here!
Animal Care Manuals
Accreditation standard 1.2.1 requires institutions to have copies of all approved AZA Animal Care Manuals (ACMs) for species within their collections, and to ensure that all animal care staff has access to them. For more information and a list of approved ACMs, click here.
Upcoming Reviews
We welcome your comments regarding the AZA members and prospective members under review for accreditation or certification at the next meeting of the AZA Accreditation Commission.
Accreditation Resource Center
Please be sure to visit our Accreditation Resource Center for sample documents and policies required for accreditation!
AAM Offers Streamlined Accreditation Process For AZA-Accredited Institutions
The American Association of Museums and AZA have collaborated on a streamlined AAM accreditation process for institutions that are accredited by AZA. Please click here for the related news release, and here for an FAQ sheet.
Accreditation Rack Cards for Visitors
Show your visitors what your AZA accreditation means! Download the Accreditation Rack Card.