With this in mind, how has their loss of AZA accreditation impacted Otterbein’s Zoo & Conservation Science program? ![]() The zoo plans to reapply, but they can only do so after five years, therefore they won't be eligible until 2026. It also impacted the zoo’s prestige - as of December 2021, only 238 organizations are AZA accredited, which translates to less than 10% of the 2800 organizations eligible. Losing AZA accreditation means the zoo may not be eligible for certain funds and can’t participate in the AZA’s Species Survival Plan Program, among other things. The zoo filed an appeal and retained their accreditation as the AZA reexamined their verdict, however again declined to renew the zoo’s accreditation on Dec. Regardless, all of this led the AZA to deny the renewal of the Columbus Zoo’s accreditation on Oct. Other changes included restructuring their animal programs department and discontinuing the use of primates and big cats outside zoo grounds. The zoo made some changes in light of these controversies - one of the biggest came when it cut ties with unaccredited animal vendors. It states he obtained the animals presented during television appearances from these places, but still made the claim that the animals came from the Columbus Zoo. It specifically names former director emeritus Jack Hanna (among others) as a patron of illegal zoos and backyard breeders. The release of the film, The Conservation Game, spurred further developments. Then, in August 2021, the Dispatch reported that misspending by executives on personal effects lost the organization at least $631,000. ![]() The first accusations of financial mismanagement were made public in March 2021, when the Columbus Dispatch reported that higher-ups within the organization let their family members live on zoo-owned property. Hanna’s family announced in April that he had been diagnosed with dementia and would retire from public life.The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium - known nationwide for the many television appearances of its former director, Jack Hanna, and better known to Otterbein University students through its relationship with our Zoo & Conservation Science program - lost its accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums last December after allegations regarding its handling of its animals and finances surfaced. His entertainment work boosted the profile of the Ohio zoo, leading to massive attendance increases over the years. He was well-known for his live animal demonstrations on late-night talk shows, as well as his own syndicated television shows. Hanna was the zoo’s director from 1978 to 1992 and then its director emeritus for many years. Tom Schmid, president and CEO of the Texas State Aquarium, was named the Columbus Zoo’s next leader on Tuesday. ![]() However, the group said it wants to see that these changes can be sustained. Staffers with the accrediting group who recently visited the zoo commended it on the changes that have been made in leadership and the animal programs department. A recent documentary, “The Conservation Game,” raised questions about how celebrity conservationists, including the famous Jack Hanna, acquire exotic animals, and the zoo has since cut ties with animal vendors who don’t meet certain standards of animal care. Besides the financial issues, the accrediting group voiced concerns about the zoo’s acquisition of ambassador animals in its animal programs department.
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