Zoos at Risk of Losing AZA Accreditation

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After witnessing four zoos lose their AZA Accreditation this cycle, I've started to wonder about the implications of this for future cycles, as the AZA standards continue to rise. What currently accredited zoos or aquariums do you believe are most likely to lose AZA accreditation next time they are up? Obviously not all of our predictions will turn out to be correct, but I do think this will be an interesting topic to speculate/discuss. Some of the most well-traveled members of ZooChat (@snowleopard) may be especially good at answering this question.
 
I know that Stone Zoo has nearly lost accreditation in the past (around 2015), but I am unsure as to whether this may continue to be an issue in the future.
 
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ZooElephantsMan said:
I know that Stone Zoo has nearly lost accreditation in the past, but I am unsure as to whether this may continue to be an issue in the future.
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I'm aware of the past issues Stone has had, but believe that most of them have been fixed by the zoo. Since last accreditation cycle, they have opened Caribbean Coast, giving a much better home for their flamingoes, the animal with arguably the worst home in the zoo before. I believe most of the issues Stone had have been solved, although I could be wrong on that. Stone Zoo also isn't up for their next accreditation until 2025, so they have some time to fix any potential issues the AZA could have.
 
Neil chace said:
After witnessing four zoos lose their AZA Accreditation this cycle, I've started to wonder about the implications of this for future cycles, as the AZA standards continue to rise. What currently accredited zoos or aquariums do you believe are most likely to lose AZA accreditation next time they are up? Obviously not all of our predictions will turn out to be correct, but I do think this will be an interesting topic to speculate/discuss. Some of the most well-traveled members of ZooChat (@snowleopard) may be especially good at answering this question.
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What are these four zoos?
 
I honestly think that it's too difficult to predict what zoos might possibly lose AZA accreditation. It's actually quite nice to see the organization clamp down on offenders, and zoos such as Montgomery and Pittsburgh have willingly given up their accreditation in the past due to a variety of reasons (mainly elephant-related). Honolulu has lost its accreditation on several occasions, Niabi was removed a while ago, and now Chahinkapa, Columbus, Erie and Safari West all getting booted out within a short time period has been shocking.

Sometimes zoos lose accreditation for purely financial reasons, such as Zoo Montana. That small facility is one that I've visited twice, with all the outdoor exhibits of a reasonable quality. However, the zoo had funding issues and financial problems that a regular visitor would never have been aware of. Thankfully, Zoo Montana regained its AZA accreditation and is good until September 2025.

I think that smaller zoos with limited resources can sometimes struggle to pass the AZA accreditation process, so a place like Bramble Park Zoo in South Dakota would be an example of a zoo that relies on community goodwill and local donations. Charles Paddock Zoo has made a lot of improvements since I visited a decade ago, but the AZA somehow allows the facility to keep a tiger in an enclosure that is clearly inadequate. I was not at all impressed with Ellen Trout Zoo in Texas, but somehow that place is still accredited until March 2023. Jenkinson's Aquarium in New Jersey keeps seals in a tiny, all-indoor pool that's not very pleasant, but the facility is accredited until March 2024. All those places could be contenders to lose accreditation if the AZA continues to be vigilant with zoos.

Here is the list (from the AZA website) in regards to evaluations in 2022:

Accreditation Applicants
Africam Safari Park
Aquarium of the Pacific
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
California Science Center
Cameron Park Zoo
Central Florida Zoo
CuriOdyssey
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Gulf World
Happy Hollow Zoo
Lion Country Safari
Marineland
Museum of Life and Science
Naples Zoo
New England Aquarium
Oregon Coast Aquarium
Parque Zoológico de León
Ripley's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach
San Francisco Zoo
SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium
Texas State Aquarium
Wonders of Wildlife
Zoológico de Cali

Certification Applicants
Lemur Conservation Foundation
Turtle Conservancy
 
Central Florida zoo is one I could see. Knowing that facilty well, their financial situation is always a struggle and really don't have any impressive (sometimes adequate/safe) exhibits.
 
Neil chace said:
I'm aware of the past issues Stone has had, but believe that most of them have been fixed by the zoo. Since last accreditation cycle, they have opened Caribbean Coast, giving a much better home for their flamingoes, the animal with arguably the worst home in the zoo before. I believe most of the issues Stone had have been solved, although I could be wrong on that. Stone Zoo also isn't up for their next accreditation until 2025, so they have some time to fix any potential issues the AZA could have.
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I think that Stone Zoo has improved a lot in the past few years. Caribbean Coast has been a really nice edition to the zoo with good enclosures. Stone Zoo’s biggest weakness right now I’d say is Windows to the Wild. It has concrete floors, and many exhibits are pretty bare. I think in the next few years the zoo will make plans to fix it, though.
 
Adding on to @snowleopard's post, while not on the list for direct inspection in 2022, both the Maryland Zoo and National Aquarium will be co-hosting the 2022 AZA Conference in Baltimore. Both facility's inspections will occur in 2023. Officials of the Inspection Committee will indirectly be looking at both facilities while they visit the zoo and aquarium. I know the leadership from both institutions are acting like this will be a "pre-inspection" so to speak. I'm not sure about the aquarium, but I know the zoo's funding from the State is conditional on remaining AZA Accredited, which is not uncommon, but adds to the pressure to make sure everything is in line. I feel like most institutions are thinking nothing is guaranteed anymore.
 
snowleopard said:
I honestly think that it's too difficult to predict what zoos might possibly lose AZA accreditation. It's actually quite nice to see the organization clamp down on offenders, and zoos such as Montgomery and Pittsburgh have willingly given up their accreditation in the past due to a variety of reasons (mainly elephant-related). Honolulu has lost its accreditation on several occasions, Niabi was removed a while ago, and now Chahinkapa, Columbus, Erie and Safari West all getting booted out within a short time period has been shocking.

Sometimes zoos lose accreditation for purely financial reasons, such as Zoo Montana. That small facility is one that I've visited twice, with all the outdoor exhibits of a reasonable quality. However, the zoo had funding issues and financial problems that a regular visitor would never have been aware of. Thankfully, Zoo Montana regained its AZA accreditation and is good until September 2025.

I think that smaller zoos with limited resources can sometimes struggle to pass the AZA accreditation process, so a place like Bramble Park Zoo in South Dakota would be an example of a zoo that relies on community goodwill and local donations. Charles Paddock Zoo has made a lot of improvements since I visited a decade ago, but the AZA somehow allows the facility to keep a tiger in an enclosure that is clearly inadequate. I was not at all impressed with Ellen Trout Zoo in Texas, but somehow that place is still accredited until March 2023. Jenkinson's Aquarium in New Jersey keeps seals in a tiny, all-indoor pool that's not very pleasant, but the facility is accredited until March 2024. All those places could be contenders to lose accreditation if the AZA continues to be vigilant with zoos.

Here is the list (from the AZA website) in regards to evaluations in 2022:

Accreditation Applicants
Africam Safari Park
Aquarium of the Pacific
Boonshoft Museum of Discovery
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
California Science Center
Cameron Park Zoo
Central Florida Zoo
CuriOdyssey
Fresno Chaffee Zoo
Gulf World
Happy Hollow Zoo
Lion Country Safari
Marineland
Museum of Life and Science
Naples Zoo
New England Aquarium
Oregon Coast Aquarium
Parque Zoológico de León
Ripley's Aquarium in Myrtle Beach
San Francisco Zoo
SEA LIFE Arizona Aquarium
Texas State Aquarium
Wonders of Wildlife
Zoológico de Cali

Certification Applicants
Lemur Conservation Foundation
Turtle Conservancy
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The New England Aquarium isn't AZA accredited? That actually really surprises me. Did they lose it recently or something?
 
phraps said:
The New England Aquarium isn't AZA accredited? That actually really surprises me. Did they lose it recently or something?
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The New England Aquarium has been AZA accredited for decades. That list is for already accredited institutions who are coming up to their next inspection.
 
snowleopard said:
The New England Aquarium has been AZA accredited for decades. That list is for already accredited institutions who are coming up to their next inspection.
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Actually the list mixes accredited and non-accredited institutions. Wonders of wildlife is non-accredited yet it is hoping to join the AZA. Judging from everything I have seen about them, they are one of the best aquariums in the country so I wish them luck.
 
nczoofan said:
Actually the list mixes accredited and non-accredited institutions. Wonders of wildlife is non-accredited yet it is hoping to join the AZA. Judging from everything I have seen about them, they are one of the best aquariums in the country so I wish them luck.
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Gulf World, Marineland (assuming the one in St Augustine), and Wonders of Wildlife are the three USA places on the list that are new applicants
 
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