Preservation Station in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. 'Good' zoos obtain animals via ex situ breeding programs that follow genetic studbooks, managed by accredited institutions and interchange individual animals between institutions based on which individuals are . They are committed to answering some of nature's most complex questions and challenged and using that information to better the lives and wellbeing of the animals. In 2017, one of their elephants, Shannon,passed away overnight - and the zoo was accused of negligence by various animal rights groups for knowing that she was sick and choosing to leave her unmonitored on the night that she passed. Boasting as the zoo to have saved, bred, and reintroduced into the wild, the Tanzania Kihansi spray toads, the Bronx Zoo is another AZA zoo that any ethical person will want to visit while in New York. Ever heard of Fiona, the world-famous hippo? Lincoln Park Zoological Gardens, Ill. However, not all zoos are created equal. The zoology program at my State University of New York campus attracts students for whom zoo visits were the crucial formative experience that led them to major in biological sciences. The Toronto Zoospans a whopping 710 acres, providing its animals with massive, naturalized environments. Theyre also the zoo where a toddler fell over the barrier into the African Painted Dogs exhibit and was killed. The Preservation Station has been repeatedly cited for violating the federal Animal Welfare Act (AWA), failing to provide adequate medical care, large enough enclosures, and even clean water and protection from the elements. The Cincinnati hippo pup was born six weeks early and was too small to nurse from her mother, putting the team at the Cincinnati Zoo in the hot seat. Peoria Zoo, Ill. Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium, Wash. Potter Park Zoological Gardens, Mich. Pueblo Zoo, Colo. Racine Zoological Gardens, Wis. Riverside Discovery Center, Neb. Obviously this is a much more expensive zoo to visit than others, but its worth keeping in mind for animal lovers. The biggest attraction in St Louis is, without a doubt, the Gateway arch. To preserve our perfect planet we must ensure we become a force for good.". The zoo's overarching goal is "to help create a better future for wildlife," a mission they fulfill by supporting field work, gathering data and insights, offering innovative animal care, and hosting speaker series and educational events. As zoos have evolved, the focus has shifted from caging up animals for amusement, to saving animals with conservation efforts. A connection is made to a world beyond our own that will live with them forever. For wild animals that cannot be returned to their natural habitats, true sanctuaries offer the best alternative. The days when education was their purpose (and I question whether it ever was) are long gone. Some of the projects the zoo has taken on include trying to revive the Great Lakes Piping Plover through incubating abandoned eggs, and working to rehabilitation African penguins chicks that are abandoned at birth. Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park Bay Lake,. Three Pandas currently live at the zoo, while six others have been bred there and returned to China. Courtesy of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. However, the space re-opened a few years later under a new name, but with few visible changes. The show, which airs next year, seeks to "explain how our Proponents argue the institutions are safe, controlled environments where the public can view and learn about wild animals.. I was taught to recite a spiel on conservation to zoo visitors that was false. Sir David's defence of zoos and aquariums comes after he backed an appeal earlier in the year which pushed to save London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoo from closing down, as a result of the pandemic. And for many at the zoo, this is the backbone of the whole facility. From this list, we selected 14 of the most popular zoos in the U.S., according to the AZA, to make your next visit a little easier to plan. The goal of this search is to have more information about ethical zoos and how local zoos could learn from them to improve their care. The Bronx Zoo is one of the most famous zoos in the US, and is one of the largest metropolitan zoos in the world (as well as one of the most award-winning). Outside of the US, I can name Elephant Nature Park in Chiang Mai and the Australian Walkabout Wildlife Sanctuary in NSW. The zoo is home to more than 12,000 animals and more than 650 species and subspecies. Were it not for opportunities to observe these beautiful, wild creatures close to home, many more people would be driven by their fascination to travel to wild areas to seek out, disturb and even hunt them down. EAZA and BIAZA do a similar job to AZA but in Europe, you want to look for these big accreditations. Of course, the zoo is also heavily involved in conservation projects, and supports over seventy projects around the world. If you continue using our website, we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies on this website and you agree to our Privacy Policy. Little Rock Zoological Gardens, Ark. Smithsonian National Zoo, MD Located in Washington D.C., this AZA-accredited zoo is free for all who wish to enter! But as amazing as it can be to witness these wild animals up close, many activists view zoos as prisons. If you do see her there, please say hello. This Oklahoma zoo features a range of wild animals, but the biggest attraction by far are the big cats. Baby bears, seals, beavers and other animals were taken in and used by the zoos for financial profit until they were no longer useful, and then either culled or released into the wild without the ability to survive. To secure a better future for these animals and all wildlife, the Oregon Zoo undertakes long- and short-term research projects and works to recover native species on the brink of extinction. AZA is the accrediting body for the top zoos and aquariums in the United States and eight other countries. Tourists who have purchased enough moonshine water, homemade fudge and bear souvenirs can also buy bear food (whichare apparently justdog biscuits) to throw at the animals behind their fence. The zoo has a strong commitment to conservation, research, and education. "(It's) the most important thing that we do and it's critical to our mission," Kubie said. The Alaska Zoois one of the smaller ones to make this global list, but for a good reason. Riverside Discovery Center, Neb. I believe that many zoos have been focusing on this more as the years go on." And thats a good thing, considering its home to more than 5,000 animals. With more than 4,000 animals sprinkled across the lush rainforest landscape, the Singapore Zoo is a not-to-miss zoo destination. Remarkable care and enclosure sizes is quite vague, sorry for that. Another Myrtle Beach attraction, Waccatee Zoo doesnt even attempt to claim that they are involved in any kind of preservation or conservation efforts (although they do donate to local charities that support human causes). Zoo #proponents argue "the institutions are With pros and cons linked to #zoos, are these conservation and research tools still relevant? On a more local level, visitors can come to visit the diverse wildlife in the park and even sleep overnight, thanks to itsunique camping program. The accreditation process includes a detailed application and a meticulous on-site inspection by an independent team of trained zoological professionals. Pueblo Zoo, Colo. I wont speculate on what that says about the way theyd have to control the elephants if a zoo keeper is in there with them. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. It's clear there's a delicate balance between protecting these animals and imprisoning them. Ive had the chance to work at both of these facilities, and they do an amazing job at caring for their animals. In addition to their hippo success story, the zoo is involved in educating people on sustainable palm oil, pollinator conservation, and cell-phone recycling all of which directly impact animals around the globe. Northeastern Wisconsin (NEW) Zoo, Wis. To pressure zoos and aquariums to spend less on their animals would lead to inhumane outcomes for the precious creatures in their care. Founded in 1916, San Diego Zoo was the first to introduce cage-less, open air enclosures that are designed to be as close as possible to the animals' natural habitats. She cites studies showing that most zoo visitors do not closely read educational signs, arguing that few people experience the zoo other than as a simple family outing. Contents show What Is The Most Ethical Zoo In The World? Our On the conservation side of things, the zoo established two institutes to further its work: the WildCare Institute, which aids initiatives that protect animals from disease, poaching, and shrinking habitats, and the Institute for Conservation Medicine, which researches the impact infectious diseases have on the long-term survival of species and the health of animals, humans, and ecosystems. Aquatic Collections Sustainability Committee, Ambassador Animal Scientific Advisory Group, Institutional Data Management Scientific Advisory Group, Molecular Data for Population Management Scientific Advisory Group, Reproduction and Endocrinology Scientific Advisory Group, Small Population Management Advisory Group, Social Science Research and Evaluation Scientific Advisory Group, Board-Approved Policies and Position Statements, Guidelines & Sample Documents, Programs, and Policies, Strategic Framework for the Wellbeing of Animals, Animal Program Sustainability Designations, Annual Report on Conservation and Science, Black-footed Ferret Recovery and Reintroduction Program Analysis, SAFE Granting Program Review and Selection, Resources for Greening Business Practices, Green Practices: Third-Party Certifications, Nature Play Begins at Your Zoo & Aquarium, Southern California Wildlife Confiscations Network, Modeling Zoos and Aquariums of Inclusive Communities of Science, AZA Professional Development Course Policies, Animal Training Applications in Zoo and Aquarium Settings, Animal Welfare: Evidence-Based Management, Avian Management, Biology and Conservation, Behavioral Husbandry Best Practices for Your Animal Welfare Program, Crocodilian Biology and Professional Management, Effective Leadership: Foundation & Development, Environmental Enrichment in Zoos and Aquariums, Managing Animal Enrichment and Training Programs, Population Management I: Data Management and Processing, Population Management II: Data Analysis and Breeding Recs, Principles of Ambassador Animal Management, Ted A. Beattie Executive Leadership Development Program, Angela Peterson Excellence in Diversity Award, North American Conservation Award Winners, William G. Conway International Conservation Award, William G. Conway International Conservation Award Winners, R. Marlin Perkins Award for Professional Excellence, Animal Welfare Lifetime Achievement Award, Tim O'Sullivan Award for Professional Development, The Devra Kleiman Scientific Advancement Award, Wendy Fisher Award for Professional Excellence, Zoo and Aquarium Safety: Example Practices, https://www.aza.org/current-accreditation-list, Wildlife Conservationists and Researchers Receive Funding for Critical Work. Over the past ten years, the Commission has accredited 246 facilities, with many being successfully accredited twice during that time span. Adoptable animals include but are not limited to giraffes, rhinos, and red pandas. The San Diego Zoo is committed to inspiration. The Alaska Zoo specializes in local animals, including brown bears, bald eagles, moose, hawks, harbor seals, and more. Animals despise being captives in zoos. He also began his career in broadcasting by presenting the BBC series Zoo Quest. Visitors can take part in learning programs and a few close encounters with sun bears, giraffes, and more. The Cincinnati Zoobegan as the Zoological Society of Cincinnati in 1873, making it the second-oldest zoo in the U.S. This zoo is at the forefront of conservation and education regarding our planets wildlife. With modern technology, film makers are able to bring us up close and personal with anim. AZA accreditation is a rigorous and trustworthy way for us to be confident that those accredited organizations are striving for the best interests of the animals both in their care and in the wild.". The Chester Zoois yet another expansive space with a rich conservation program (and it happens to be the most-visited zoo in the U.K.). Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Also certified as an aquarium and zoological garden. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Cincinnati Zoo has bred multiple endangered species, including South African cheetahs, Sumatran rhinoceros, western lowland gorillas, Malayan tigers, and Masai giraffes, and was the first zoo to breed California sea lions. On top of its global work, the Houston Zoo spearheads local projects to save native Texas species from extinction, including the Houston toad and the Attwater's prairie chicken. Godfrey Mchunguzi Oyema, MCIWEM C.WEM, NEBOSH en LinkedIn: Are zoos ethical? The certification process is equivalent to the accreditation process but is designed for wildlife-holding facilities that are non- commercial entities and that are not open to the public on a regular basis. Sanctuaries are a growing and ethical alternative to animals kept in captivity and on display. 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