On March 19, the Turtle Conservancy traveled to Omaha, Nebraska to sit before the AZA Accreditation Commission for our 5-year recertification hearing. “It takes hard work and dedication to meet Association of Zoos and Aquariums Standards,” said AZA Interim President and CEO Kris Vehrs. “By meeting the highest standards, the Turtle Conservancy has shown it is a true leader in wildlife conservation.”

The certification process includes a detailed application and a meticulous on-site inspection by a team of trained zoo and aquarium professionals. The inspecting team observes all aspects of the institution’s operation in areas such as animal care; keeper training; safety for visitors, staff, and animals; conservation efforts; veterinary programs; financial stability; risk management; and other areas. Finally, top officials are interviewed at a formal Commission hearing, after which certification is granted, tabled, or denied.

Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and eight other countries. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helping animals all over the world. Through AZA SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction, AZA-accredited and certified related facilities are collectively working to use their conservation science, wildlife expertise and the 183 million visitors to save species in the wild by identifying threats, developing action plans, raising new resources and engaging the public.

To learn more, click here to visit the AZA's website.