"We are hopeful that Columbus will continue addressing recommendations from the Commission, and seek accreditation from AZA again in the near future.” What losing AZA accreditation meansĪmong federal agencies and those in the zoo and aquarium industry, the AZA is held up as the “national standard” for zoos in the U.S. "We are encouraged by recent actions taken by new leadership at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, but in view of the serious and persistent violations of AZA standards, over at least the past 5 years, we cannot accredit at this time," the statement said. In a written statement Tuesday morning, the AZA board of directors said it did not make the decision lightly. Schmid previously told The Dispatch he was puzzled by the AZA's initial accreditation denial, noting the zoo's issues regarding animal acquisition and leadership's missteps "have been dealt with very effectively."
The denial of the zoo's accreditation appeal comes just days into Schmid's tenure, who began in his new zoo leadership role Dec. Investigations and reviews by the Ohio Attorney General and Ohio Auditor of State remain pending. Forensic audits initiated by the zoo's board later revealed improper spending and questionable business practices by the former top two executives, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in zoo losses. Prior to the documentary, former Columbus Zoo President and CEO Tom Stalf and former Chief Financial Officer Greg Bell resigned after an investigation by The Dispatch detailed their extensive personal use of zoo resources. The Hanna family shared in April that Jack Hanna had been diagnosed with dementia, and told The Dispatch this summer that they hadn't seen the documentary and would never try to speak for the former zoo director. The zoo announced in July it had cut ties with animal vendors who do not meet certain standards of animal care. The film alleged baby tigers and snow leopards that appeared with Hanna on late-night talk shows often didn't come from or return to accredited zoos, but were instead shuffled among backyard breeders and unaccredited zoos that don't have to adhere to the same strict animal care standards and ethics rules as accredited facilities. The changes followed the recent documentary film, "The Conservation Game," which raised questions about the way celebrity conservationists, including longtime Columbus Zoo director Jack Hanna, acquire exotic animals. The AZA team that visited the zoo for the review commended those changes, but also said it wanted “to see that these changes can be sustained.” Zoo officials quickly promised to appeal the decision, noting that the zoo had already made numerous changes to meet AZA standards ahead of their accreditation review. They also were concerned with inappropriate business practices by the zoo’s former leadership.
At the time, the AZA’s accreditation commission expressed concerns with the zoo’s repeated animal transfers with non-AZA members to supply baby animals for entertainment purposes. The AZA first denied the Columbus Zoo’s accreditation in early October, following a routine, five-year accreditation review process. "We are exploring all options to continue fulfilling our mission and to continue our work with endangered and threatened species that need our help,” he said.
COLUMBUS ZOO CAREERS PROFESSIONAL
The zoo welcomes standards and scrutiny in evaluating an institution, and being accredited by a third-party professional association is important, Schmid said. 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.Įditorial: Zoo, Equitas, Shelter Board must work to re-earn trust after disgraceful scandals This content is not available due to your privacy preferences.
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