Zoological Association of America

Accreditation association for zoos and aquariums in the United States

Zoological Association of America

Abbreviation| ZAA
Type| National not-for-profit organization
Legal status| 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
Focus| Responsible wildlife management; conservation; accreditation of zoos and aquariums; advocacy
Headquarters| Punta Gorda, Florida, U.S.

Area served

| National
Method| Accreditation

Chief Executive Officer

| Dr. Kelly George
Website| zaa.org

The Zoological Association of America (ZAA) is a non-profit organization founded in 2005. It is dedicated to responsible wildlife management, conservation, and education. ZAA is headquartered in Punta Gorda, Florida. It officially accredits zoos and aquariums in both the United States and Canada.[1]

## History

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In 1987, Ron Blakely, former Sedgwick County Zoo director and co-founder of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), invited experts on animal care and zookeeping from public and private institutions to form an organization that would "deal more personally with 'animal-only' related issues and concerns, without the distractions of marketing, graphics, gift shops, etc." compared to AZA, which resulted in the formation of the International Society of Zooculturists (ISZ). In February 2005, the ISZ and sister organization United Zoological Association (UZA) merged to form ZAA.[2]

## Accreditation and Activities

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In order to apply for accreditation, a zoo or aquarium must engage in the care and exhibition of animals with a focus on conservation, as well as perform educational outreach and participate in breeding programs.[3]

As of 2023, ZAA recognizes 65 accredited zoos and aquariums, including the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium and the San Antonio Zoo.[4]

The ZAA also holds a yearly Awards Ceremony celebrating accomplishments in exhibit design, education, and breeding, as well as dedication towards the in situ or ex situ conservation of a specific species or specific animal.[5]

## Controversies

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ZAA has received criticism due to its supposed ease of accreditation and more relaxed requirements for animal care compared to AZA.[6] In 2017, The Humane Society of the United States president Wayne Pacelle claimed that ZAA serves to weaken laws and regulations meant to protect exotic animals in captivity, and serves to obfuscate the more rigorous and strict accreditation requirements of AZA.[7] The organization has also received criticism due to its lack of a ban on breeding white tigers, a practice that AZA banned in 2011 due to the risk of disease as well as other congenital effects due to inbreeding.[8][9]

ZAA's policies on elephant care have also sparked controversy, as ZAA's elephant care practices allow for free contact. This is opposed to AZA's standard of protected contact in which a sturdy barrier must be between handlers and elephants at all times.[10][11]

## See also

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* List of zoo associations

## References

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1. ^ "Zoological Association of America – Home". zaa.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
2. ^ "About ZAA". zaa.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
3. ^ "Zoological Association of America – Accreditation". zaa.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
4. ^ "Zoological Association of America – Accredited Facilities". zaa.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
5. ^ "Zoological Association of America – Awards". zaa.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
6. ^ "ZAA Zoological Association of America". 911 Animal Abuse. April 22, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
7. ^ "HSUS, top zoos can together be a force for good". A Humane World. September 11, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
8. ^ "Joint Statement on Tiger Farms by AZA and Conservation NGOs". www.aza.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
9. ^ "AZA White Paper: Welfare and Conservation Implications of Intentional Breeding for the Expression of Rare Recessive Alleles" (PDF). Assets Service. June 1, 2011. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
10. ^ AZA Standards for Elephant Management and Care
11. ^ "Pittsburgh zoo has been in violation of its lease for 5 years". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved November 11, 2020.

## External links

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* Official website