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 the AZA Accreditation process.

September 2018 Accreditation Results

AZA is pleased to announce the results of the Accreditation Commission hearings held in September 2018 in Seattle, Washington.

We would like to welcome two new member institutions: Aquarium of Niagara, Niagara Falls, N.Y.; Utica Zoo, Utica, N.Y.

Accredited for another cycle were Blank Park Zoo, Des Moines, Iowa; Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, S.C.; Butterfly House, Chesterfield, Mo.; Buttonwood Park Zoo, New Bedford, Mass.; Calgary Zoo, Calgary, Alberta, Canada; Chattanooga Zoo, Chattanooga, Tenn.; Clyde Peeling's Reptiland, Allenwood, Pa.; Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, Fort Wayne, Ind.; Greensboro Science Center, Greensboro, N.C.; Hutchinson Zoo, Hutchinson, Kan.; International Crane Foundation, Baraboo, Wis.; Maryland Zoo in Baltimore, Baltimore, Md.; Miller Park Zoo, Bloomington, Ill.; Milwaukee County Zoo, Milwaukee, Wis.; Oglebay's Good Zoo, Wheeling, W. Va.; Oklahoma City Zoo, Oklahoma City, Okla.; Rosamond Gifford Zoo at Burnet Park, Syracuse, N.Y.; SEA LIFE Kansas City Aquarium, Kansas City, Mo.; Seneca Park Zoo, Rochester, N.Y.; Smithsonian National Zoo, Washington, D.C.; Vancouver Aquarium, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; Virginia Zoological Park, Norfolk, Va.

We would like to welcome two new certified related facilities: Ape Cognition and Conservation Initiative, Des Moines, Iowa; Turtle Survival Center, Cross, S.C.

For a complete list of all AZA-accredited institutions and AZA-certified related facilities click here.

Accreditation Resource Center Now Available

Please be sure to visit our newly improved Accreditation Resource Center where you will find examples of institutional documents and policies that are required for AZA accreditation.  The Resource Center will continue to be populated with more documents, but many examples and guidelines are available now!

Update: 2019 Accreditation Standards

The 2019 edition of the Accreditation Standards and Related Policies is now available. For all other current accreditation materials click here.

Quarter Century Award

Congratulations to Adventure Aquarium, Bermuda Aquarium, Museum, & Zoo, Bramble Park Zoo, Happy Hollow Zoo, Queens Zoo, Tennessee Aquarium, and The Seas, the 2018 Quarter Century Award recipients, for achieving this impressive milestone! 

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.

AAM Offers Streamlined Accreditation Process For AZA-Accredited Institutions

The American Alliance of Museums and AZA have collaborated on a streamlined AAM accreditation process for institutions that are accredited by AZA and wish to obtain accreditation from AAM. Please click here for the related news release, and here for a FAQ sheet.

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.

Contact Us

Have a concern or compliment about an AZA-accredited zoo or aquarium or an AZA-certified related facility that you have recently visited? AZA-accredited institutions are dedicated to maintaining or exceeding AZA standards every day. If a concern is received related to an AZA-accredited facility, as the accrediting body we will work with the institution to make certain that all AZA accreditation standards continue to be maintained. When a compliment is received, we share it with the institution's staff.

Compliments, concerns, and any supporting documentation should be submitted in writing to azaaccreditation@aza.org. Concerns may also be submitted to: Accreditation Department, AZA, 8403 Colesville Road, Suite 710, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.