However, the group said it wants to see that these changes can be sustained. Staffers with the accrediting group who recently visited the zoo commended it on the changes that have been made in leadership and the animal programs department. A recent documentary, “The Conservation Game,” raised questions about how celebrity conservationists, including the famous Jack Hanna, acquire exotic animals, and the zoo has since cut ties with animal vendors who don't meet certain standards of animal care. Investigations and reviews by the Ohio attorney general's office and the Ohio auditor are pending.īesides the financial issues, the accrediting group voiced concerns about the zoo’s acquisition of ambassador animals in its animal programs department. I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement. The zoo said it plans to appeal the decision announced Wednesday by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, considered the nation's top zoo-accrediting body, one day after the Ohio zoo announced its new leader. (Adam Cairns/The Columbus Dispatch via AP, File)ĬOLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has lost its most important accreditation, a major blow to an institution once widely admired in its industry and by the general public. 6, 2021, by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, considered the nation's top zoo-accrediting body, one day after the institution announced its new leader. The zoo said it plans to appeal the decision announced Wednesday, Oct. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has lost its most important accreditation, a major blow to an institution once widely admired in its industry and by the general public.

the giraffe a piece of lettuce from his own mouth at the the Columbus Zoo & Aquarium in Columbus, Ohio. This article was published (290 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.įILE - In this May 29, 2018, file photo, Jack Hanna feeds J.P.

Columbus zoo accreditation