Columbus zoo news professional#

'We are encouraged by recent actions taken by new leadership at Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, but in view of the serious and persistent violations of AZA standards, over at least the past 5 years, we cannot accredit at this time,' the statement said. In a written statement Tuesday morning, the AZA board of directors said it did not make the decision lightly. Schmid previously told The Dispatch he was puzzled by the AZA's initial accreditation denial, noting the zoo's issues regarding animal acquisition and leadership's missteps 'have been dealt with very effectively.' The denial of the zoo's accreditation appeal comes just days into Schmid's tenure, who began in his new zoo leadership role Dec. Investigations and reviews by the Ohio Attorney General and Ohio Auditor of State remain pending. Forensic audits initiated by the zoo's board later revealed improper spending and questionable business practices by the former top two executives, resulting in hundreds of thousands of dollars in zoo losses. Prior to the documentary, former Columbus Zoo President and CEO Tom Stalf and former Chief Financial Officer Greg Bell resigned after an investigation by The Dispatch detailed their extensive personal use of zoo resources. The zoo announced in July it had cut ties with animal vendors who do not meet certain standards of animal care. The Hanna family shared in April that Jack Hanna had been diagnosed with dementia, and told The Dispatch this summer that they hadn't seen the documentary and would never try to speak for the former zoo director. The film alleged baby tigers and snow leopards that appeared with Hanna on late-night talk shows often didn't come from or return to accredited zoos, but were instead shuffled among backyard breeders and unaccredited zoos that don't have to adhere to the same strict animal care standards and ethics rules as accredited facilities. The changes followed the recent documentary film, 'The Conservation Game,' which raised questions about the way celebrity conservationists, including longtime Columbus Zoo director Jack Hanna, acquire exotic animals. The AZA team that visited the zoo for the review commended those changes, but also said it wanted “to see that these changes can be sustained.” Zoo officials quickly promised to appeal the decision, noting that the zoo had already made numerous changes to meet AZA standards ahead of their accreditation review.

Columbus zoo news professional#

The zoo welcomes standards and scrutiny in evaluating an institution, and being accredited by a third-party professional association is important, Schmid said. Losing accreditation from the AZA impacts eligibility for certain funds, animal exchange and conservation programs, and can determine whether a facility is subject to certain state laws.Įditorial: Zoo, Equitas, Shelter Board must work to re-earn trust after disgraceful scandals 'In the last nine months, the Zoo team has moved mountains to make transformative changes that continue to make us a better Zoo with new team members, new policies, and more oversights that were in place at the time of the AZA inspection in July,' Schmid said. Animal care and welfare remains the zoo's top priority, he said in a prepared statement. New Columbus Zoo President and CEO Tom Schmid called the AZA's decision disappointing, but said the zoo will continue to move forward. The zoo, which reported the denial in a press release and in an email to supporters, will have an opportunity to reapply for AZA accreditation in fall of 2022. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a nonprofit that represents more than 240 facilities in the United States and overseas, denied the Columbus Zoo’s accreditation after hearing the zoo’s appeal during its board of directors meeting. The top accrediting body for zoos and aquariums denied the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's accreditation appeal Monday, officially stripping the popular central Ohio institution of an industry seal of approval meant to build public trust.