AZA Accreditation Denied to Toronto Zoo for 2012-13

Non-Compliance to governance standards cited as only obstacles to maintaining AZA standards

TORONTO, April 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ - The Toronto Zoo announced today that they have been denied the accreditation of Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) effective immediately and will be ineligible for re-application until March 1, 2013. The Board of Directors of the AZA voted unanimously to deny the accreditation based largely upon the inability of the Toronto Zoo to meet various AZA governance standards. Specifically, the AZA had cited "the action taken by the City Council regarding the management of animals in the zoo's collection, which is not in compliance" with a number of governing authority standards.

"Clearly, we are disappointed with the decision made by the AZA," said John Tracogna, CEO, Toronto Zoo. "There was never any question of the Toronto Zoo's animal care, governance was the key issue. We have been working diligently to create a stronger governance model that will enable us to effectively deliver upon the Zoo's core mandates - those of public education, conservation, research, species preservation, and regional tourism, while lessening the financial burden to the taxpayer. We will provide an update on this new model in the near future."

The Toronto Zoo will continue to be focused on excellence in zoo management and operations throughout the reapplication timeframe and beyond. In the short term, minimal impacts of this ruling is anticipated in the expectation that the Zoo will be once again become AZA accredited in 2013.

The Toronto Zoo has been accredited with the AZA since 1977. As a longstanding member, it complied with and adhered to the highest standards and best practices set by the AZA - a framework that helped the Toronto Zoo develop a strong international reputation in animal care and zoo management. Additionally, collaboration with the AZA has been instrumental in the success of the Zoo's Species Survival Programs (SSP).

About the Toronto Zoo

The Toronto Zoo is Canada's premier zoo and a leader in animal preservation and environmental protection. More than a tourist attraction, the Toronto Zoo boasts a number of leading programs for helping animals and their natural habitats - from species reintroduction to reproductive research. A world-class educational center for people of all ages, the Toronto Zoo is open every day except Christmas, and attracts approximately 1.3 million visitors each year.

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SOURCE Toronto Zoo