TORONTO, ON, Friday, September 15, 2023: Your Toronto Zoo is proud to announce it has received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) as part of the Annual AZA Conference that took place this week in Columbus, Ohio. AZA accreditation is regarded as the “gold standard” of zoological accreditation.
“We are part of an incredibly challenging profession, and this team’s dedication to delivering on the highest standards to ensure animal wellbeing while providing our guests with an amazing educational and inspirational visit is just outstanding,” said Dolf DeJong, Toronto Zoo CEO. “I am so grateful to our dedicated staff and volunteers for their commitment to serving the needs of the animals in our care and our guests, and we will continue to uphold the highest standards of animal care and wellbeing that the AZA has established. We believe strongly that all those who care for exotic and endangered species must meet these high standards and we will continue to advocate for improving the wellbeing of animals in human care,” he added.
As one of Canada’s largest zoos, your Toronto Zoo is proud to meet the highest standards of wildlife care excellence, welfare standards and supporting critical conservation programs that support our mission connecting people, animals and conservation science to fight extinction. The Toronto Zoo was one of 22 zoos and aquariums to receive their accreditation this week. For full details on this announcement from AZA click here: https://www.aza.org/aza-news-releases/posts/22-facilities-earn-gold-standard-zoological-accreditation
What is the AZA Accreditation?
Accreditation by the AZA demonstrates that an organization has met rigorous standards required to support excellence in wildlife care. https://www.aza.org/what-is-accreditation?locale=en
The Accreditation Process is comprised of lengthy application process, followed by an onsite inspection over multiple days that reviews and rates all elements of a facility’s operations and processes, including but not limited to such areas as safety and security protocols, animal welfare and wellbeing, educational programs, financial stability, staff training and culture, veterinary care, guest experience, and much more. The inspection team is made up of Zoo professionals who have been through thorough training on what to look for an ask during the inspection in order to compile a comprehensive report to be considered by the AZA Accreditation Commission. The report is then reviewed with the facility applying for accreditation at a Committee hearing during an AZA Conference. At this time, the facility will be provided with feedback and provided with an approval, provisional or denial for accreditation status.
Why is Accreditation important?
In the wildlife care profession, it is critical that organizations with the responsibility of caring for and protecting our wildlife are held to highest standards. The standards are continuously improving and evolving to meet the needs of animals in our care. To achieve and maintain accreditation, organizations must make continuous updates to processes, facilities and training that will meet these high standards. Enforcing such demanding requirements allows the internal and external stakeholders of an animal care facility to know immediately if they can trust an organization that they will be visiting or supporting is delivering highest level of care, education and conservation, all critical elements to ensuring animals both in our care and in their natural spaces will continue to thrive.
About AZA
Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and 12 other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.
About Toronto Zoo
The Toronto Zoo’s mission is to connect people, animals and conservation science to fight extinction and our vision is a world where wildlife and wild spaces thrive.
An iconic attraction and Conservation tourism organization, the Toronto Zoo boasts a number of leading programs for helping wildlife and their natural habitats – from species reintroduction to reproductive research. A world-class educational centre for people of all ages, the Toronto Zoo is open every day including December 25 and attracts approximately 1.2 million guests each year.