The Zoological Association of America (ZAA) announced that San Antonio Zoo® had been granted re-accreditation by ZAA’s independent Accreditation Commission. The Zoological Association of America is a non-profit membership-based, an accrediting organization dedicated to responsible wildlife management, conservation, and education. The ZAA upholds the highest level of professional standards in animal welfare, safety, and ethics.
To be accredited, San Antonio Zoo underwent a thorough review to make certain it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards in categories that include animal care and welfare, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. ZAA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years in order to be members of the association.
In January of 2021 San Antonio Zoo’s aquarium team earned the prestigious Zoological Association of America’s Ex Situ Conservation award for their continued work with five species of endangered, critically endangered, and extinct in the wild Mexican freshwater fish. The five species are the Minckley’s Cichild (Endangered), Tequila Splitfin (Endangered), San Marcos Redtail Splitfin (Critically Endangered), La Palma Pupfish (Extinct in the Wild), and Charco Palma Pupfish (Extinct in the Wild).
ZAA is a zoological accrediting institution that promotes responsible wildlife management, conservation, and education. According to the ZAA’s website, the Ex Situ Conservation Award “recognizes excellence in captive care, welfare, and propagation of animal species in captivity, as a hedge against extinction.”
“We are excited to earn accreditation by the ZAA once again. Our entire zoo crew works tirelessly to provide the absolute best for the animals in our care, and this recognition continues to lend credibility to our ongoing efforts,” said Tim Morrow, President & CEO of San Antonio Zoo. “Our re-accreditation provides third-party validation and continues to verify our excellent standards of welfare and care. We will continually strive to be a leader in providing excellence in animal care, education, and conservation.”
In 2017 San Antonio Zoo became the first zoological facility in the world to be accredited by both ZAA and Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), as well as being Humane Certified by American Humane.
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