The Columbus Zoo believes rather than deny it accreditation, the commission could have postponed the evaluation by a year to see if the zoo could sustain changes after the former leadership resigned. The Accreditation Commission also evaluates the veterinary program, involvement in conservation and research, education programs, safety policies and procedures, security, physical facilities, guest services, and the quality of the institution's staff." "We also make sure that animals are provided with enrichment, which stimulates each animal's natural behavior and provides variety in their daily routine. "Every animal at AZA-accredited institutions undergoes a thorough welfare assessment at least once a year," the AZA said about its process. The misuse of funds was a point of contention with the commission, which is still under investigation by the state of Ohio. In March, former CEO Tom Stalf and the former chief financial officer, Greg Bell, each resigned after allegations surfaced that they cost the institution more than $630,000 by misusing the property for personal profit, such as allowing family to live in zoo-owned houses and giving out no-bid construction projects. The denial follows a challenging year for the Columbus Zoo. "The accreditation visiting team commended the Zoo on 17 points of exemplary work in all aspects of Zoo operation, and the commission’s vote was not unanimous," the Columbus Zoo wrote in a press release Wednesday morning. The lack of AZA accreditation could also restrict staff from continuing their roles in Species Survival Programs and prevent participation in breeding programs, which could impact species conservation programs, according to the zoo. Losing accreditation could affect which animals are brought in to the zoo and could pose a risk for the loss of funding, depending on whether the decision affects the trust of donors. "And that we were an institution that could be accredited and the AZA recognized those changes, right? But they want to see sustained change.”Īn AZA commission evaluates operations and animal welfare at zoos. “We feel like at the time of the inspection we had made the changes that we needed to make," Ramer said. The decision comes as the zoo announced a number of reforms in the wake of several scandals that resulted in the zoo hiring a new CEO.
Jan Ramer, senior vice president of animal care and conservation, said the zoo was "shocked" by the decision announced by the AZA on Wednesday. Current zoo leadership argues it has made changes to better operations, and that the AZA could have postponed evaluation to ensure the zoo could sustain those changes rather than deny it accreditation.In March, former CEO Tom Stalf and the former chief financial officer, Greg Bell, each resigned after allegations surfaced that they cost the institution more than $630,000 by misusing the property for personal profit.The commission made allegations against former leadership a key point for the decision.
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