The accreditation commission expressed concerns with the zoo’s repeated animal transfers to supply baby animals for entertainment purposes. They also were concerned with inappropriate businesses practices
JENNIFER SMOLA SHAFFER: The top accrediting body for zoos and aquariums denied the Columbus Zoo’s accreditation appeal Monday, officially stripping the popular central Ohio institution of an industry seal of approval meant to build public trust… The AZA first denied the Columbus Zoo’s accreditation in early October, following a routine, five-year accreditation review process.
At the time, the AZA’s accreditation commission expressed concerns with the zoo’s repeated animal transfers with non-AZA members to supply baby animals for entertainment purposes. They also were concerned with inappropriate businesses practices by the zoo’s former leadership.
Zoo officials quickly promised to appeal the decision, noting that the zoo had already made numerous changes to meet AZA standards ahead of their accreditation review. The AZA team that visited the zoo for the review commended those changes, but also said it wanted “to see that these changes can be sustained.”
The changes followed the recent documentary film, “The Conservation Game,” which raised questions about the way celebrity conservationists, including longtime Columbus Zoo director Jack Hanna, acquire exotic animals. The film alleged baby tigers and snow leopards that appeared with Hanna on late-night talk shows often didn’t come from or return to accredited zoos, but were instead shuffled among backyard breeders and unaccredited zoos that don’t have to adhere to the same strict animal care standards and ethics rules as accredited facilities.
Prior to the documentary, former Columbus Zoo President and CEO Tom Stalf and former Chief Financial Officer Greg Bell resigned after an investigation by The Dispatch detailed their extensive personal use of zoo resources. Forensic audits initiated by the zoo’s board later revealed improper spending and questionable business practices by the former top two executives, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in zoo losses. Investigations and reviews by the Ohio Attorney General and Ohio Auditor of State remain pending…
Among federal agencies and those in the zoo and aquarium industry, the AZA is held up as the “national standard” for zoos in the U.S. Holding accreditation by the AZA develops public trust and confidence that a facility meets or exceeds current industry standards, and distinguishes facilities from for-profit animal menageries.
AZA accreditation also exempts institutions from certain government requirements, especially at the state level, and it can impact eligibility for funding and grants from some foundations, corporations or other funding sources. As it works to regain accreditation beginning in fall of 2022, the Columbus Zoo “will do everything necessary to remain in compliance of all laws and regulations,” its website said. SOURCE…
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