We believe in a better future for all living things.

We envision a world where all people respect, value, and conserve wildlife and wild places.

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Latest News & Events

AZA Statement on United Nations IPBES Global Assessment.

The Call of the Whooping Crane. Audubon Nature Institute Helps Bring Back Endangered Crane from the Brink of Extinction.

AZA and WTA Announce Support for Wildlife Trafficking Bill.

About the Association of Zoos & Aquariums

Leaders in Animal Care, Conservation, and Family Fun

AZA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. AZA represents more than 200 institutions which meet the highest standards in animal care, provide a fun and educational family experience, and dedicate millions of dollars to scientific research, conservation, and education programs.

About AZA

We're changing lives

Our Collective Impact

236 Accredited Zoos & Aquariums

Use our Find a Zoo or Aquarium feature to find an accredited facility near you.

45 States

216 accredited facilities in 45 US states, plus 20 in 10 other countries

100 Years

Population planning for 500 species for the next 100 years.

800,000 Animals

Approximately 800,000 animals in the care of AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium professionals.

6,000 Species

Approx 6,000 different species in AZA-accredited facilities.

1,000 Endangered

1,000 threatened or endangered species in AZA-accredited zoos & aquariums

500+SSPs

More than 500 Species Survival Plan® Programs under 46 Taxon Advisory Groups

12m Students

12 million student learners per year on field trips

208,000 Jobs

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums provide around 208,000 jobs in the US.

195,000,000 Visits a Year

AZA-accredited facilities serve more than 195 million visitors each year.

Our Mission

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums helps its members and the animals in their care thrive by providing services advancing animal welfare, public engagement and the conservation of wildlife.

$220m Conservation Dollars

AZA-accredited facilities spend $220 million a year in support of conservation projects.

Membership makes a difference.

“In any business, you want to be the best at what you do in your field. Being an AZA member places me and the institution I work for in the top category for zoos & aquariums.”

About Membership

The mission of SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction is to combine the power of zoo and aquarium visitors with the resources and collective expertise of AZA members and partners to save animals from extinction.

Learn more

African penguin

Asian Elephant

Black Rhinoceros

Cheetah

Gorilla

Sea Turtle

Sharks

Vaquita

Western Pond Turtle

Whooping Crane

july 2019

The Call of the Whooping Crane

Almost driven to extinction in the 1940s with a population low of a mere 15 birds, the whooping crane has been part of one of the longest-running managed breeding and release programs in the world.

Read article More from Connect Magazine