Greenville Zoo receives Quarter Century Award from Association of Zoos and Aquariums
December 15, 2015
The Greenville Zoo is a recipient of the new Quarter Century Award, presented by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which recognizes zoos and aquariums that have been AZA-accredited continuously for 25 years or more. In its award letter, the AZA congratulated the Greenville Zoo on its achievement, saying, “AZA is honored to present your institution with the AZA Quarter Century Award recognizing the Greenville Zoo’s commitment to maintaining the highest standards in animal care, welfare, management, veterinary care, conservation, education, staffing, facilities, safety, guest services, and more. The Greenville Zoo’s dedication to best modern zoological practices and philosophies is a hallmark of AZA accreditation, and we applaud your continuous commitment to uphold AZA standards and policies.”
The Greenville Zoo was first accredited in 1986, and the AZA granted the zoo’s most recent accreditation in September 2014. In order to be accredited, the Greenville Zoo undergoes a thorough mandatory review every five years, which includes a detailed application, a rigorous onsite inspection by a team of trained zoo and aquarium professionals to observe all aspects of the zoo’s operation and a formal hearing. The exhaustive process can take as much as a year to complete. Fewer than 10% of the approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors licensed by the US Department of Agriculture are AZA-accredited. As an accredited institution, the Greenville Zoo can work closely with other accredited facilities on conservation efforts, captive breeding programs and valuable research. Being accredited also enables the zoo to acquire animals through species survival programs (SSP), as well as hire quality staff members who seek out positions at accredited institutions.
According to zoo administrator Jeff Bullock, accreditation is something that the Greenville Zoo is proud of and something they want the community to take pride in as well. “As an AZA accredited institution, the Greenville Zoo can offer its members free or discounted admission to nearly 150 other accredited facilities across the nation, provide a myriad of educational opportunities and provide opportunities to get involved with conservation efforts in the community,” said Bullock. “The zoo staff has worked hard to achieve and maintain this status for 25 years, and we are pleased to be recognized by the AZA for our dedication to excellence and to our mission.”
About AZA
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, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. The AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and seven other countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.
