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.
March 2018 Accreditation Results
AZA is pleased to announce the results of the Accreditation Commission hearings held in March 2018 in Jacksonville, Florida.
We would like to welcome three new member institutions: Dolphin Discovery Cozumel, Cozumel, Mexico; Dolphin Discovery Isla Mujeres, Isla Mujeres, Mexico; OdySea Aquarium, Scottsbluff, Ariz.
Accredited for another cycle were Alexandria Zoological Park, Alexandria, La.; Audubon Zoo, New Orleans, La.; Brevard Zoo, Melbourne, Fla.; El Paso Zoo, El Paso, Texas; Fort Worth Zoo, Fort Worth, Texas; Georgia Aquarium, Atlanta, Ga.; Houston Zoo, Houston, Texas; Jenkinson's Aquarium, Point Pleasant Beach, N.J.; Louisville Zoological Garden, Louisville, Ky.; Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Norwalk, Conn.; Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium, Sarasota, Fla.; Ocean Park Hong Kong, Aberdeen, Hong Kong; Rainforest and Aquarium at Moody Gardens, Galveston, Texas; Sacramento Zoo, Sacramento, Calif.; San Antonio Zoo, San Antonio, Texas; Seattle Aquarium, Seattle, Wash.
We would like to welcome one new certified related facility: Pinola Conservancy, Shreveport, La.
Certified for another cycle was the White Oak Conservation Foundation, Yulee, Fla.
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: 2018 Accreditation Standards
The 2018 edition of the Accreditation Standards and Related Policies is now available. For all other current accreditation materials click here.
Quarter Century Award
Congratulations to Pueblo Zoo, the 2017 Quarter Century Award recipient, 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.