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 how AZA Accreditation works.
March 2012 Accreditation Results
AZA is pleased to announce the results of the Accreditation Commission hearings held in March 2012 in Palm Springs, California.
Accredited for another cycle were Alameda Park Zoo, Alamogordo, N.M.; Aquarium of the Bay, San Francisco, Calif.; Atlantis, Paradise Island, Nassau, Bahamas; Biodome de Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada; BREC's Baton Rouge Zoo, Baton Rouge, La.; Dallas Zoo, Dallas, Texas; Fundacion Temaiken, Escobar, Buenos Aires, Argentina; Honolulu Zoo, Honolulu, Hawaii; Living Desert Zoo & Gardens State Park, Carlsbad, N.M.; Los Angeles Zoo, Los Angeles, Calif.; Monterey Bay Aquarium, Monterey, Calif.; National Aquarium in Baltimore, Baltimore, Md.; North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher, Kure Beach, N.C.; North Carolina Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores, Pine Knoll Shores, N.C.; North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island, Manteo, N.C.; Palm Beach Zoo, West Palm Beach, Fla.; Phoenix Zoo, Phoenix, Ariz.; Santa Ana Zoo, Santa Ana, Calif.; Shark Reef Aquarium at Mandalay Bay, Las Vegas, Nev.; South Carolina Aquarium, Charleston, S.C.; and Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center, Virginia Beach, Va.
Certified for another cycle were B. Bryan Preserve, Point Arena, Calif. and International Animal Exchange, Inc., Royal Oak, Mich.
Update: 2012 Accreditation Standards
The 2012 edition of the Accreditation Standards and Related Policies is now available, including the new Standards for Elephant Management and Care. For all other 2012 accreditation materials click here!
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.
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.
Accreditation Resource Center
Please be sure to visit our Accreditation Resource Center for sample documents and policies required for accreditation!
AAM Offers Streamlined Accreditation Process For AZA-Accredited Institutions
The American Association of Museums and AZA have collaborated on a streamlined AAM accreditation process for institutions that are accredited by AZA. Please click here for the related news release, and here for an FAQ sheet.
Accreditation Rack Cards for Visitors
Show your visitors what your AZA accreditation means! Download the Accreditation Rack Card.