Seattle Aquarium receives recognition from Association of Zoos and Aquariums

The streak continues for the Seattle Aquarium! The Aquarium recently received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, also known as AZA. It’s a recognition the Aquarium has held for 45 years since first receiving accreditation in 1979!

“This recognition wouldn’t be possible without our staff, who are so dedicated to making sure the animals in our care are thriving,” Seattle Aquarium’s CEO and President Bob Davidson said. “This is a team effort and I couldn’t be more proud of everyone involved.”

So how does accreditation work? Earlier this year, the Seattle Aquarium was evaluated by recognized experts in the profession. Overseeing this process in AZA is the Accreditation Commission – a group of sixteen experienced and trained experts in operations, animal welfare and husbandry, and veterinary medicine. The inspectors spent several days at the Aquarium visiting every area, interviewing staff, checking records, and assessing the welfare of the animals in our care. The inspectors then write a detailed report about everything they saw and evaluated before they submitted it to the Accreditation Commission.

This accreditation process happens once every five years. However, every animal at AZA-accredited institutions undergoes a thorough welfare assessment at least once a year.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums represents more than 230 institutions and is a non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. The AZA oversees a rigorous accreditation process, ensuring that Seattle Aquarium and its peers meet the highest standards for these areas.