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 2016 Accreditation Results
AZA is pleased to announce the results of the Accreditation Commission hearings held in September 2016 in San Diego, California.
We would like to welcome two new member institutions: SEA LIFE Aquarium at Legoland California Resort, Carlsbad, Calif. and SEA LIFE Michigan Aquarium, Auburn Hills, Mich.
Accredited for another cycle were Alaska SeaLife Center, Seward, Alaska; Birmingham Zoo, Birmingham, Ala.; Brandywine Zoo, Wilmington, Del.; Buffalo Zoo, Buffalo, N.Y.; Capron Park Zoo, Attleboro, Mass.; David Traylor Zoo of Emporia, Emporia, Kan.; Detroit Zoo, Detroit, Mich.; Elmwood Park Zoo, Norristown, Pa.; Erie Zoo, Erie, Pa.; Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History, Sioux Falls, S.D.; Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, West Yellowstone, Mont.; Lee Richardson Zoo, Garden City, Kan.; Lincoln Children's Zoo, Lincoln, Neb.; Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Eatonville, Wash.; Red River Zoo, Fargo, N.D.; Roger Williams Park Zoo, Providence, R.I.; Roosevelt Park Zoo, Minot, N.D.; SeaWorld San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas; Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, Holderness, N.H.; Trevor Zoo, Millbrook, N.Y.; Turtle Back Zoo, West Orange, N.J.; the Wilds, Cumberland, Ohio.
We would like to welcome one new related facility: Duke University Lemur Center, Durham, N.C.
Certified for another cycle was the Endangered Wolf Center, Eureka, Mo.
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: 2016 Accreditation Standards
The 2016 edition of the Accreditation Standards and Related Policies is now available. For all other current accreditation materials click here.
Quarter Century Award
The AZA Accreditation Quarter Century Award was developed in 2015 and recognizes 25 years or more of continuous accreditation. Learn more.
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.