The Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens was granted reaccreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) independent Accreditation Commission, according to an April 2 announcement. The zoo has maintained AZA accreditation since 1987.
This reaccreditation is significant as it demonstrates the zoo’s ongoing commitment to high standards in animal care, conservation, education, and guest experience. The AZA’s rigorous process evaluates institutions on a wide range of criteria to ensure they meet evolving best practices in the field.
Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, said: “Congratulations to the leadership and staff at Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens for attaining the global ‘gold standard’ in zoological and aquarium accreditation. AZA’s standards continuously evolve to reflect best practices in the zoo and aquarium profession, with a strong emphasis on animal care and wellbeing at their core. Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens has demonstrated a dedication to this exceptional level of care.”
The accreditation process involves a detailed application followed by an extensive multi-day on-site inspection conducted by an independent team of zoological professionals. This team reviews all aspects of operations including animal welfare, veterinary care, staff training, educational programming, conservation efforts, financial stability, risk management, governance structure, and guest services. After these evaluations are complete—along with interviews with top officials—a decision is made regarding full or provisional accreditation.
Dr. Jeff Ettling, President and CEO of Jacksonville Zoo and Botanical Gardens said: “Maintaining AZA accreditation since 1987 is a point of great pride for our organization and is a powerful affirmation of the work our team does every day to provide exceptional care for animals and advance meaningful conservation efforts. This recognition reflects our unwavering commitment to animal wellbeing, scientific excellence, and inspiring our community to protect wildlife and wild places.”
There are currently 240 AZA-accredited institutions worldwide along with 14 related facility members across 12 countries. Each member must undergo this thorough review every five years as part of maintaining their status within the association.
