"I don't think it's fair," Schmid said of the AZA decision. "The AZA decided that we didn't meet their standards, because of the actions of four individuals," he said, referring to former president and CEO Tom Stalf and CFO Greg Bell, along with two other former staff members. Zoo appeals AZA pulling its accreditationĪsked about the ZAA standards before a board meeting Wednesday, Tom Schmid, president and CEO of the Columbus Zoo, called them rigorous and no less challenging than AZA standards. Losing accreditation from the AZA impacts eligibility for certain funds, animal exchange and conservation programs, and can determine whether a facility is subject to certain state laws.
The Columbus Zoo is one of the largest among more than 60 facilities accredited by ZAA. The association is comprised of public and private facilities of wildlife educators, rescue facilities, TV and film industry animal experts, wildlife preserves, large and small zoological facilities, aquariums, and conservation organizations working together to oversee the care and welfare for wildlife in human care.
COLUMBUS ZOO VS CINCINNATI ZOO PROFESSIONAL
The ZAA is a nonprofit, membership-based, accrediting organization whose mission is to foster responsible wildlife management, conservation, and education, and to uphold a high level of professional standards in animal welfare, safety, and ethics. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has been granted accreditation by the Zoological Association of America, an international association and accrediting body whose approval is serving to maintain the credential the zoo lost last year following several scandals.Ĭolumbus Zoo leadership was notified recently following a four-day, on-site inspection in March by a team of zoological professionals and a review period by the ZAA accreditation committee.
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