Special to 1808Delaware
Today a team representing the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium made a strong appeal to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Board of Directors requesting that the AZA grant the Zoo accreditation or have its accreditation tabled until 2022 while remaining accredited.
AZA denied the appeal.
The Zoo’s new President and CEO Tom Schmid said that while disappointing, the Zoo will not be slowed down by the AZA Board decision.
“We are moving forward,” he said. Schmid, who began his role on Dec. 6 and participated in the appeal to the AZA Board along with Board Chair Keith Shumate, Senior VP Animal Care and Conservation Dr. Jan Ramer, and former interim Zoo President and CEO Jerry Borin, who served until Schmid arrived. “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 the Zoo welcomes standards and scrutiny that evaluates the institution.
“Being accredited by a third-party professional association is important, so we are exploring all options to continue fulfilling our mission and to continue our work with endangered and threatened species that need our help,” he said. “Without question, the care and welfare of the animals remains our top priority.”
He added, “We deeply appreciate the unwavering support of our community despite many challenges created by past leadership. We have so much to celebrate and to be thankful for- the support of our heartfelt donors, a record-setting year of attendance, celebrating the birth of several endangered species, and contributing to many conservation programs locally and internationally. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is thriving thanks to our community.”
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