Who controls the zoo?
The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (hereinafter “AZA”), an organization of zoos and related facilities, regulates the zoo industry through voluntary standards.
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), originally the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1924 and dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation.
The vast majority of accredited zoos and aquariums across the United States now rely on private operators-this includes major cities like Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Fresno, Houston and Seattle. Eight publicly owned zoos and aquariums have been transferred to private operators in the last ten years alone.
The curator oversees the care and distribution of animals in the zoo, while the director does not work directly with the animals but rather performs more administrative duties, such as fundraising and public relations.
AZA has been the primary accrediting body for zoos and aquariums for over 40 years. U.S. agencies such as OSHA and the USDA consider AZA standards as the “national” standard, and they refer to AZA standards when evaluating institutions.
The unwanted adult animals are sometimes sold to “game” farms where hunters pay to kill them; some are killed for their meat and/or hides. Other “surplus” animals may be sold to smaller, more poorly run zoos or, worse, to laboratories for experiments.
A. Federal Statutes. One of the most important laws protecting zoo animals is the Animal Welfare Act (hereinafter “AWA”). The AWA is a very important act because it is the only Federal statute concerned with the welfare of the animals, rather than regulating financial and procedural matters concerning zoo animals.
AZA is the independent accrediting organization for the best zoos and the best aquariums in America and the world, assuring the public that when they visit an AZA-accredited facility, it meets the highest standards for animal care and welfare.
The Phoenix Zoo opened in 1962 and is the largest privately owned, non-profit zoo in the United States. Located in Phoenix, Arizona, the zoo was founded by Robert Maytag, a member of the Maytag family, and operates on 125 acres (51 ha) of land in the Papago Park area of Phoenix.
Any zoo that isn't owned by a government is considered privately owned. Even some zoos that get tax support aren't owned by their government so they are considered privately owned.
Who owns we bought a zoo?
Created in the 1960's as a private exotic animal collection, the Zoo fell into disrepair and was threatened with closure in 2006. Along came Benjamin Mee, who with his family bought the site and set about creating the Zoo we have today.
Due to safety issues, in many zoos, including Woodland Park Zoo, close contact between zoo animals and zookeepers is very limited and is strictly managed. Even with young animals, zookeepers try to avoid handraising the young, preferring to allow the parents to raise their offspring as naturally as possible.
The term is derived from the Greek ζώον, zoon, 'animal', and the suffix -λογία, -logia, 'study of'. The abbreviation zoo was first used of the London Zoological Gardens, which was opened for scientific study in 1828, and to the public in 1847.
An important way to learn about the legitimacy of a zoo or aquarium here in the United States is to ensure it is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). This accreditation process includes reviews and inspections to assess candidates and member institutions against mandated standards.
Born Free opposes the exploitation of wild animals in zoos and aquaria. Since 1984, Born Free has challenged the global zoo industry and today we lead the movement against the captive exploitation of wild animals.
Zookeepers with a cheetah at Australia Zoo. A zookeeper's responsibilities usually include feeding, maintaining and cleaning the animals, diet preparation, behavioral observation, record keeping, exhibit maintenance and providing environmental enrichment for the animals in their care.
If we want to see large animals after 2050, ZOOS may have them. The wild will be completely depleted. Small cage ZOOS are unethical. The animals in zoos are largely owned by two entities: the zoo they are in, or another facility that loaned the animal out.
Zoos don't buy or sell animals, they only trade. It may seem odd to run a business – even a non-profit – with a collection that you can't buy or sell. How do zoos get new animals to enhance their collections or get rid of animals they no longer need or want? No money changes hands.
Most large, captive-bred carnivores die if returned to their natural habitat, a new study has found. The odds of animals such as tigers and wolves surviving freedom are only 33 percent, according to a team of researchers from the University of Exeter in the United Kingdom.
Arguments for Zoos
By bringing people and animals together, zoos educate the public and foster an appreciation of other species. Zoos save endangered species by bringing them into a safe environment, where they are protected from poachers, habitat loss, starvation, and predators.
Has any country banned zoos?
Still, there is no country in the world where zoos are banned. Some countries banned small petting zoos or buying wild animals as home pets. Almost all countries signed “The Convention On International Trade In Endangered Species Of Wild Fauna And Flora (CITES)”.
Zoos benefit conservation not only through direct efforts such as captive breeding, wild survival training and reintroduction, but also in indirect ways.
“Zoo keeper” is a term used to describe an individual who cares for animals in zoological parks or aquariums, but also encompasses other career titles such as Animal Trainer, Aquarist, Biologist, Aviculturist, Herpetologist, Mammalogist, to name a few.
Q: What's the difference between a Zoologist and a Zookeeper? A: Zoologists are more concerned with the research and observation of the animals whereas Zookeepers work with the animals that live in zoos.
In December 2021, Tom Schmidt became the president and CEO of the Columbus Zoo.
