As you wander through our grounds amongst a wide array of exhibits from our fierce Mexican gray wolves and whimsical boojum garden, to our gliding Cownose Stingrays and lush riparian forests, it becomes apparent that the Desert Museum is more than just a traditional museum. It is a fusion experience combining a zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum, and aquarium committed to conservation, education, and research.
This commitment goes beyond our mission of inspiring people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert, but it is also reflected in our status as an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited organization.
The Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum first became AZA-accredited in 1983, and we have maintained our status since! In fact, in March of this year we passed the accreditation inspection once again. But what does that really mean? What on Earth is AZA accreditation and what exactly does it tell you about the Desert Museum’s operations and standards for animals in our care?
AZA accreditation recognizes institutions internationally who meet the gold standard for animal welfare, scientific education, staff training, and visitor experience. There are currently 254 accredited zoos and aquariums across 12 countries, but this is no trivial feat.
Obtaining AZA accreditation takes time and resources. Organizations going through the accreditation process must pass a strict evaluation that covers all aspects of operations including animal welfare, veterinary care, conservation, education, guest services, physical facilities, safety, staffing, finance, and governing body.
The accreditation process includes:
- A thorough application submission
- An on-site inspection conducted by a team of experts
- A hearing before the AZA’s independent Accreditation Commission
In their words… Taken from AZA’s Website:
What We Evaluate
The Accreditation Commission evaluates every zoo or aquarium to make sure it meets AZA’s standards for animal wellness, care, and management, including living environments, social groupings, health, and nutrition. Every animal at AZA-accredited institutions undergoes a thorough wellness assessment at least once a year. We also make sure that animals are provided with enrichment, which stimulates each animal’s natural behavior and provides variety in their daily routine. The Accreditation Commission also evaluates the veterinary program, involvement in conservation and research, education programs, safety policies and procedures, security, physical facilities, guest services, and the quality of the institution’s staff. And because a zoo or aquarium needs a strong foundation in order to continue to meet high standards, accreditation also evaluates each institution’s finances, its governing authority, and its support organization. In other words, we look at everything!
How We Evaluate
Every candidate for accreditation fills out a detailed questionnaire which includes copies of their policies, procedures, records, lists, and reports. The application takes many months to complete and six months to study and evaluate. After the Accreditation Commission studies the application, a team of inspectors visit the zoo or aquarium in person. Each team includes at least one veterinarian along with animal and operations experts. The inspectors spend several long days at the zoo or aquarium visiting every area, interviewing staff, checking records, and assessing the welfare of the animal collection. The inspectors then write a detailed report about everything they saw and evaluated and submit it to the Accreditation Commission.
Only institutions exhibiting the highest levels of care and commitment to animal wellbeing and conservation are awarded accreditation. Once accredited, the work doesn’t end there. “Zoos and aquariums are constantly evolving and standards are continuously being raised. Each zoo or aquarium must keep up with these changes to remain AZA-accredited,” explains AZA’s website, “and to prove it, they must go through the entire accreditation process every five years.”
Of the thousands of USDA-licensed animal exhibitors across the country, approximately 10% are AZA-accredited, making our 43 year accreditation that much sweeter!
“Another successful AZA Accreditation is a reflection of the hard work of our team and the support of our community. We are proud to share this recognition of the Desert Museum’s ongoing to commitment to excellence across the organization,” says Hollie Colahan, Executive Director of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
When you visit the Desert Museum, you are more than a witness of beautiful landscapes and animals, you are also a supporter of an institution that is committed to the best practices of animal care and conservation!
Your visit with us is meant to leave an impact, with the hope that the knowledge and experience you acquire on our grounds inspires you to spread the word on the importance of wildlife conservation and conservation of the Sonoran Desert region.
By Gracie Heim, Content Marketing Lead