AZA INSTITUTIONS SET GOLD STANDARD IN ANIMAL CARE

By the Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Photo courtesy of The Maryland Zoo

When you visit an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) facility, you’re doing more than seeing animals. You’re visiting a place that meets the highest standard of animal care and well-being.

AZA is an independent accrediting organization which sets the global gold standard for modern zoos and aquariums. Of the 2,800 wildlife exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture under the Animal Welfare Act, less than 10% meet the high standards set by the AZA. The highly trained professionals at AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums provide excellent care for more than 800,000 animals, making them the leading experts in animal care.

The AZA’s Accreditation Commission evaluates every zoo or aquarium to make sure it meets AZA’s standards for animal welfare, care and management, including living environments, social groupings, health and nutrition. Every animal at AZA-accredited institutions undergoes a thorough welfare assessment at least once a year. The AZA also makes sure animals are provided with enrichment, which stimulates each animal’s natural behavior. The Accreditation Commission also evaluates the veterinary program, education programs, safety policies and procedures, security, physical facilities, guest services and involvement in conservation and research. Learn more about AZA accreditation standards.

One way AZA members are involved in conservation is through the AZA Species Survival Plan®. This program is a cooperative animal management and breeding effort that works to ensure genetically diverse, self-sustaining populations of more than 500 species of animals.

Photo courtesy of AZA SAFE

Conservation in action: AZA SAFE program

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are leaders in the protection of threatened and endangered species. Through AZA SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction), the AZA-accredited zoo and aquarium community is focusing our conservation science, wildlife expertise and outreach to millions of annual visitors on saving species in the wild.

SAFE’s impact goes beyond the confines of AZA facilities. Through Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, wildlife lovers across the U.S. are learning about SAFE’s role in conservation. SAFE species featured on the series include black-footed ferrets, sunflower sea stars and sea turtles.

In addition to television spotlights, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom highlights SAFE programs each month on social media channels. Fans can learn facts about these species and read stories from AZA facilities directly involved with the programs. Spotlight species include chimpanzees, Asian elephants, Andean highland flamingos and sloth bears.

AZA supports SAFE species programs through two granting programs. With SAFE as AZA’s signature conservation brand, funds are directed only to projects that advance the objectives of SAFE species programs.

In 2021, JoEllen Doornbos, a generous AZA donor, contributed $1 million to create an endowment that’ll support SAFE species programs in perpetuity. AZA doubled donations to the endowment in 2023 and 2024 by successfully matching challenge grants from the Arthur L. and Elaine V. Johnson Foundation and Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom, which has generously contributed to AZA SAFE for several years.

Conservation education: connecting future generations to the natural world

As centers for conservation, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums provide the public with essential connections to the natural world. More than 50 million visitors to AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are children, making accredited zoos and aquariums essential to science and environmental education.

AZA-accredited facilities train 40,000 teachers every year, supporting state science curricula with teaching materials and hands-on opportunities for students who might otherwise have no first-hand experience with wildlife. In fact, there is growing evidence that aquariums and zoos are highly effective at teaching people about science and connecting them to the natural world.

Fostering connection with wildlife early on creates a lifelong care for animals and drives the next generation of conservationists. AZA employees know this well. The AZA’s “Wild Impact Report” shows that 77% of AZA employees say the classic Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom series influenced their decision to pursue a career working with wildlife. What was once an entertaining show to watch with family, ignited a passion to care for wildlife.

Guiding Principles of Animal Wellbeing

The well-being of the animals in human care is essential to AZA’s mission and is achieved by giving them lifelong opportunities to thrive. AZA Guiding Principles of Animal Wellbeing Culture reflect the AZA community’s shared values and goals for promoting the well-being of animals.

Care that promotes animal well-being is elevated through the sharing of information. The AZA community has developed and compiled a variety of tools and resources to facilitate animal care. Staff training and animal welfare science are vital for ensuring our knowledge and application of animal care improves. AZA-accredited facilities can apply for funding to facilitate this research and training through the AZA Animal Care and Wellbeing Grants Fund.

Partners in conservation storytelling

“Growing up, I dreamed of wrestling anacondas like Marlin Perkins or diving alongside Jacques Cousteau. Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom ignited my connection to nature and inspired a more than 40-year career in wildlife conservation with incredible organizations like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the AZA,” Dan Ashe, president and CEO of AZA, said.

“We protect vulnerable species and ecosystems, reintroduce animals into the wild and save threatened and endangered species from the brink of extinction. We’re working to create a future where all animals thrive and all people respect, value and conserve wildlife and wild places.”

As a longstanding partner, AZA is proud to honor the legacy of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom through our highest distinction, the R. Marlin Perkins Award for Professional Excellence, which recognizes an AZA-accredited member for their outstanding contributions.

About the AZA

With more than $356 million invested in field conservation projects, the AZA works to save the most vulnerable wildlife species through its signature conservation program, AZA SAFE. As an AZA Commercial Member Engagement Council member, Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom is a significant partner and contributor to SAFE.

“We’re deeply grateful for Wild Kingdom’s contributions to AZA SAFE, which has supported AZA-accredited institutions’ conservation efforts for over 50 species in the wild,” Ashe said. “By featuring the work of our AZA organizations on the show and podcast, we’re educating and inspiring new generations together.”

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, AZA is dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science and recreation. AZA represents 251 facilities in 13 countries, which collectively draw more than 200 million visitors every year.

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums meet the highest standards in animal care and well-being and provide a fun, safe and educational family experience. In addition, AZA zoos and aquariums dedicate millions of dollars annually to support scientific research, conservation and education programs.