AZA Grants Accreditation to the Racine Zoo

The Racine Zoo announces that The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA)s independent Accreditation Commission has granted accreditation to the Racine Zoo.

"Only the very best zoos and aquariums can meet tough Association of Zoos and Aquariums accreditation standards," said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy."The leadership and staff of the Racine Zoo are to be congratulated for the hard work and commitment that they put into the accreditation process."

To be accredited, the Racine Zoo underwent a thorough investigation to insure it has and will continue to meet ever-rising standards, which include animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process in order to be members of the association, and are required to resubmit to this process every five years.

"Not only does Racine Zoo meet or exceed AZAs high standards, but it provides every visitor with a chance to connect to global wildlife conservation,"Maddy added. "Every member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums shares a strong commitment to animal care, professionalism, ethics, conservation, and education. In turn, they enrich the lives of their communities by developing significant wildlife education and conservation programs."

The mission of the AZA Accreditation Commission is to establish, uphold, and raise the highest zoological and aquarium industry standards through self evaluation, onsite inspection, and peer review. The accreditation process includes a detailed application and a meticulous onsite inspection by a team of trained zoo and aquarium professionals. The inspecting team observes all aspects of the institutions operation in areas such as animal care (including living environment and daily enrichment), keeper training, safety for animals, staff, and visitors, educational programs, conservation efforts, veterinary programs, financial stability, risk management, visitor services, and other areas. The inspection team prepares an extensive written report for the Accreditation Commission. Finally, top officials are interviewed at a formal Commission hearing, after which accreditation is either granted, tabled, or denied. Any institution that is denied may reapply one year after the Commissions decision is made.

"Being accredited by the AZA is notable since there are just over 200 AZA accredited Zoos in America due in part to their stringent guidelines. The Racine Zoo is a great community resource and for it to be recognized and accredited by the AZA is an honor the entire community should be proud of," said Jay Christie, President and CEO, Racine Zoo.

Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting an institution dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, the AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. For more information, please visit www.aza.org .

The Racine Zoo is open daily. Hours between Labor Day and Memorial Day are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The admission price is 4 dollars for adults, 2 dollars for children 3-15, 3 dollars for seniors and children under three are free. The mission of the Racine Zoological Society is to foster an enlightening and affordable wildlife experience that improves the bond between people and nature. The Society will provide for the recreation and education of the people, the conservation of wildlife and wild places, and the advancement of science.