TORONTO – The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) revoked accreditation from the Toronto Zoo on Wednesday citing governance issues in a move that could possibly affect some programs in which the zoo takes part.
The AZA cited “the action taken by the City Council regarding the management of animals in the zoo’s collection,” which contravened the AZA’s governing authority standards.
According to John Tracogna, CEO of the Toronto Zoo, the zoo is working towards creating a stronger governance model, “that will enable us to effectively deliver upon the Zoo’s core mandates.”
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The Toronto Zoo had been accredited by the AZA since 1977, an association that helped it develop “a strong international reputation in animal care and zoo management,” according to a press release by the Toronto Zoo on Wednesday.
The AZA confirmed that the Toronto Zoo is working towards alleviating the governance problems, and though they refused to comment on specifics of the AZA’s decision, Steve Feldman, a spokesman for the AZA said, “it’s gratifying to see that the Toronto zoo takes AZA standards so seriously, and that they have a plan to address the issues that were identified.”
The loss of the Zoo’s AZA accreditation could also negatively affect some programs the zoo takes part in, specifically a program that assists zoos across North America in creating “genetically diverse, healthy, self-sustaining” species.
The program though, according to Tracogna, won’t be affected for at least two years, and would only be stopped if the zoo was refused re-accreditation.
“It’s business as usual for at least two years,” Tracogna said.
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