Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Columbus Zoo May Lose AZA Accreditation
- Thread starter nczoofan
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Yes that did seem like Jack was sort of “fed to the wolves” so to speak regarding where the animals acquired for shows or media appearances were from. Although he isn’t named, it’s does seem whom they are referring to. And it is rather brushed away about their financial losses due to their leadership, which somehow they’re trying to make the lesser of two evils at least in my opinion.
From my impression of people on Twitter, it appears that many aren’t happy with the lack of transparency and even in some replies that they are deserving of their loss of accreditation. Also indicating that the zoo needs to do more for animal welfare to be accredited again and be more forthcoming with their members base. And it appears to be either members or dedicated followers of the zoo, not just random AR activists so far.
But one only goes against their personal policies, and they gave multiple paragraphs explaining it in detail and singling out one person (who everyone knows they're talking about). For the other, which is the reason they lost AZA, they gave a short paragraph that's extremely vague and mentions nothing about what happened ("mistakes") or who was responsible.
I'm not sure what you mean. There's an average of one loss a year, with none last year because of Covid. The Safari West one has been building for years, and the Columbus one is a huge scandal. They're both one off incidents.
Not to mention, didn’t Cbus push for the regulation in Ohio that only allowed AZA zoos and GFAS sanctuaries to keep dangerous wild animals (and night monkeys and tamarins)? I would find it hilarious if law enforcement took away Cbus’s dangerous animals bc of a law Hanna and Cbus zoo pushed.
Why night monkeys and tamarins? What is it about these that dictates only AZA/GFAS facilities housing them? I agree it would be ironic and funny if they lose animals due to this.
I might need to understand your question and the law a bit better. But I will give you this instead.
OH - Exotic - Chapter 935. Dangerous Wild Animals and Restricted Snakes | Animal Legal & Historical Center
I had a hard time going to the Ohio Department of Agriculture's website probably because I am using Turkish internet so Michigan state University is the best out ther right now.
I may have misinterpreted the claims of owl monkeys and tamarins being banned. I see most people claiming that the animals in division (C)20 are banned, but it seeems like south American primates are not banned. However marmosets and capuchins are not on the list so the ban is still laughable for calling marmosets dangerous.
If you check section 935.03 division (B), you will see that the only exhibitors exempt from section 935.04 are AZA zoos and circuses (which sounds stupid).
Feel free to correct me
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According to the link, it appears ZAA zoos are also exempt. If necessary to continue keeping these animals, Columbus Zoo could join the ZAA with relative ease. I do agree that it's laughable tamarins are considered dangerous but capuchins not.
The species in section 20 are excluded from the “dangerous animal” list. So capuchins are considered dangerous but tamarins are not.
I did acknowledge that what I heard in the past is wrong. But it is still rather silly to claim that a howler monkey is less dangerous than a marmoset.
I'm not seeing where it says that?
Just posted on their Twitter page, the following message and link attached to post:
ACCREDITATION UPDATE: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s leadership team, including new CEO/President Tom Schmid, are preparing for an appeal hearing with the Association of Zoos and Aquarium (AZA) Board of Directors. Please also read the FAQs on our website: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium - Frequently Asked Questions
ACCREDITATION UPDATE: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium’s leadership team, including new CEO/President Tom Schmid, are preparing for an appeal hearing with the Association of Zoos and Aquarium (AZA) Board of Directors. Please also read the FAQs on our website: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium - Frequently Asked Questions
That makes me feel better about the new leadership after the removal of accreditation made me deeply disappointed in the zoo. Although, while technically true and they still seem ashamed of it, the mention that the non-AZA animal acquisitions are not illegal makes me feel a little sick to my stomach. Like, they could have worded that a way that didn't come across as "its legal so it's not that bad".
Columbus Zoo was just denied accreditation in their most recent appeal. They will appeal again in 2022 to potentially be reaccredited in 2023:
Association of Zoos and Aquariums Denies Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Appeal
Association of Zoos and Aquariums Denies Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Appeal
Ouch. Wonder if they'll lose any animals from this or if nobody will care due to their otherwise decent standing.
They answer this in the FAQs. Basically they are applying to be an AZA sustainability partner to continue working with SSPs and they are working with the state government to remain compliant with any laws that limit species they may be holding.