The Columbus Zoo had held their accreditation for 40 years prior to the denial. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium filed an appeal to the AZA for their decision to deny the zoo’s accreditation on Nov. Wilds Secrets of the zoo, along with staff veterinarian at the columbus Zoo and Aquarium. “These changes were in place prior to the accreditation inspection and have been sustained since.” In the early days, the Columbus Zoo staff was proud to have gorillas, even though they weren't kept in a breeding group. “The AZA first accredited the Columbus Zoo in 1980, and as a long-standing AZA organization, we are disappointed that the commission denied our accreditation after all of the positive changes that were made to meet AZA standards,” said interim Columbus Zoo President and CEO Jerry Borin in a written statement. General and Ohio Auditor of State are still in motion. Current investigations by the Ohio Attorney The mismanagement of financial resources was confirmed in March after audits initiated by the zoo’s board revealed “improper spending and questionable business practices by the former top two executives,” leading to more than $630,000 in losses.įormer President and CEO Tom Stalf and CFO Greg Bell voluntarily resigned after the audit was completed. The average employee at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium earns a yearly salary of 27,513 per year, but different jobs can earn drastically different salaries. The zoo announced in July that it had ended their relationships with animal vendors who do not meet certain standards of animal care.
Photo courtesy of Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Jack Hanna poses with Columbus Zoo and Aquarium staff and cheetah for public event. Jack Hanna’s family shared that the former Columbus Zoo director had been diagnosed with dementia back in April. The 2021 documentary film, “The Conservation Game,” alleged that Jack Hanna and the Columbus Zoo worked with backyard breeders and roadside zoos, violating AZA standards for years. While the AZA had expressed concern over “inappropriate financial management issues by former leadership” at the Columbus Zoo, the organization also said the Columbus Zoo’s repeated animal transfers with non-AZA members to supply baby animals for entertainment purposes were even “more substantial and concerning.” Accredited organizations must renew their accreditation every five years.
Their accreditation process is meant to ensure that zoo facilities are meeting industry standards for animal welfare and care, education, veterinary programs, safety and conservation. The AZA is recognized as the industry’s top accrediting body for zoos within the United States and a dozen other countries. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium lost its Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation in early October.
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