Zoological Association of America
AbbreviationZAA
TypeNational not-for-profit organization
Legal status501(c)(3) nonprofit organization
FocusResponsible wildlife management; conservation; accreditation of zoos and aquariums; advocacy
HeadquartersPunta Gorda, Florida, U.S.
Area served
National
MethodAccreditation
Dr. Kelly George
Websitezaa.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. The ZAA is headquartered in Punta Gorda, Florida, and accredits zoos and aquariums in the United States.[1]

History

In 1987, former Sedgewick County Zoo director Ron Blakely invited experts on animal care and zookeeping from public and private institutions to form an organization in opposition to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (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 the ZAA.[2] Former Lowry Park Zoo CEO Lex Salisbury would host the ZAA in 2007, and use the zoo's facilities to run the organization in 2008.[3]

Accreditation and activities

The ZAA operates on a membership, which must be applied for before the accreditation process. 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 performing educational outreach and breeding programs.[4] As of 2020, the ZAA recognizes 61 accredited zoos and aquariums.[5]

The ZAA also holds a yearly Awards Ceremony, honoring ZAA Accredited zoos, honoring and celebrating exhibit design, education, breeding, as well as dedication towards the conservation of a specific species or specific animal.[6]

Controversy

The ZAA has received controversy due to its more relaxed approach to its more flexible requirements for animal care, and supposed ease of accreditation compared to the AZA.[7] The Humane Society of the United States president Wayne Pacelle has claimed that the 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 the AZA for the public.[8] The ZAA has opposed passing a US Fish and Wildlife regulation to help prevent captive tigers in the US for being sold for black market parts.[9] The organization has also received criticism due to their approval of breeding of white tigers, a practice that is condemned in AZA accredited zoos due to the risk of disease, as well as other congenital effects due to inbreeding.[10][11]

The ZAA's policies on elephant care have also sparked controversy, as the ZAA's elephant care practices allow for free contact. This is opposed to the AZA's standard of protected contact in which a sturdy barrier for protection must be between handlers and elephants at all times for each party's safety.[12][13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Zoological Association of America – Home". zaa.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  2. ↑ "About ZAA". zaa.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  3. ↑ "AZA vs ZAA". Big Cat Rescue. April 18, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  4. ↑ "Zoological Association of America – Accreditation". zaa.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  5. ↑ "Zoological Association of America – Accredited Facilities". zaa.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  6. ↑ "Zoological Association of America – Awards". zaa.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  7. ↑ "ZAA Zoological Association of America". 911 Animal Abuse. April 22, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  8. ↑ "HSUS, top zoos can together be a force for good". A Humane World. September 11, 2017. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  9. ↑ Fouts, Jim (October 5, 2011). "letter to Tim Van Norman at U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service". US Fish and Wildlife – via RIN 1018-AW81; Docket Number FWS-R9-IA-2011;96300-1671-0000-R4.
  10. ↑ "Joint Statement on Tiger Farms by AZA and Conservation NGOs". www.aza.org. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  11. ↑ "Today at Big Cat Rescue AZA Says No More White Tigers or White Lions". Big Cat Rescue. April 3, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  12. ↑ AZA Standards for Elephant Management and Care
  13. ↑ "Pittsburgh zoo has been in violation of its lease for 5 years". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
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