aza

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...

I'm a big fan of Defassa Waterbuck. I know that there are numerous numbers of them in the EAZA but from what I can find, only BGT and the SDWAP still house them. The AZA and most exotics ranches keep Common Waterbuck. Any chance there could be some imports in the future to keep numbers...

Take reptiles as an example. A lot of the education reptiles used in zoos are common household pets and aren't at much risk of being endangered (example: corn snakes, bearded dragons, etc). So there's not much of a push to breed these animals or loan them out to other zoos. How are these animals...

While reading various threads on this forum, I have seen zoochatters both criticize and compliment the AZA and its role in the zoo community. I want to know what zoochatters think of the AZA. Do you think it helps zoos? Or hurts them? If you don't like the AZA, what changes would need to be made...

In the spirit of all the other threads looking to catalog animal populations in US zoos, I figured I'd start one for ungulates as they are of particular interest to me. I know there are already some threads existing looking at Antelope and Gazelles in North American Zoos and Duikers & Dwarf...

Hi everyone, I'm creating a zoo podcast and I'd like if you could listen to it! I'm having guests from zoos all across the USA and hopefully elsewhere too. Here's the link to the podcast website. You can listen to the episodes there or on Anchor.fm or on Spotify. I'm working on making it...

With the annual AZA conference just a couple of weeks away does anyone know what exhibits are in the running this year for top exhibit award?

The AZA released their white paper on the breeding and keeping of white lions and tigers (and king cheetahs) in 2011. Since that time, quite a few zoos have still produced cubs, either by breeding two cats that are known to carry the recessive genes or by outright breeding white animals, like...

Figured I'd make a list, please contribute if possible. Also, does anyone know if I can find a full list? (Not in any particular order, and also an WIP) Also, anyone know how I can put topics to the zoo being discussed? (*)= assumed off-exhibit *= known off-exhibit Africa!: -Masai giraffe...

With Rizzo's passing at Utah's Hogle Zoo, it led me thinking. We're not seeing many Polar Bears born is US zoos. And aren't many Polar Bears currently in US zoos elderly. I think we might have a problem with Polar Bears, that's similar with this country's problem with Asian Elephants. So I'm...

So I've realized that there's a fair number of really good zoos which don't offer any reciprocity for members of other AZA zoos. (I very nearly overlooked two zoos near me because they don't offer reciprocity and I was using the AZA reciprocity charts to plan my January excursions). Generally...

The Mill Mountain Zoo in Roanoke, Virginia has lost its AZA accreditation on financial grounds. It had been accredited since 1995. Mill Mountain Zoo loses accreditation Roanoke council says Mill Mountain Zoo needs to save itself - Roanoke Times: Roanoke News

See http://www.zoochat.com/2/aza-2015-exhibit-award-nominees-419252/

The recent forum on Euthanasia of healthy animals in zoos focused on an animal which was part of an EAZA controlled ex situ conservation breeding programme. Copenhagen zoo justified their action as being a necessary step in maintaining a genetically sound programme. Linked to the discussion was...

The announcement of the 2013 AZA awards is only 3 months away. Nominees have not yet been announced, but since when does that stop ZooChat? What's your guess? From the AZA site: For those who want to do their homework, the application...

OK bettors, prognosticators, speculators and debaters: START YOUR ENGINES! The Nominees are: Cheetah Run (Busch Gardens Tampa) Ecosystems, California Science Center (California Science Center) African Elephant Crossing (Cleveland Metroparks Zoo) Monarca del Desierto Jaguar Exhibit ( The...

The 2011 AZA awards were just announced. Exhibit Award winners can be found at http://www.zoochat.com/22/aza-exhibit-awards-2011-a-236084/#post480626 Also Edward Bean Award: Top award to Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garen -- Bali Mynah Top award to ZooAtlanta -- Western Lowland...

Who do you believe will win an AZA Exhibit Award this year? Winners announced at the conference in Atlanta later this week.

I haven't seen this mentioned on Zoochat (maybe I just missed it?), but the AZA has a blog with features on assorted zoo staff around the country, information on their work and career tracks, features on zoos, etc. Some interesting reading for anyone who'd like a little insight into a variety...

Each year AZA presents a program of best TV ads of that year. It's not about awards...just fun. Now the past 4 years presentations are on-line Association of Zoos and Aquariums - Pizzazz