Fossil Rim - Press Release

03/18/2004 - GLEN ROSE, TEXAS – Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is proud to announce that accreditation was granted today by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association’s (AZA) Accreditation Commission during its meeting at the association’s Regional Conference being held in Santa Barbara, California. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to become accredited in order to be members of the association. Accreditation is granted for five years, at the end of which the institution must undergo the rigorous investigation again to insure it meets ever-rising industry standards in collection care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety, among other things.

“We are pleased to grant the accreditation to Fossil Rim Wildlife Center,” stated Sydney J. Butler, Executive Director of AZA. “Zoos and aquariums in North America are continually evolving and reaffirming their commitment to animal care, professionalism, ethics, conservation, and education. In turn they are enriching the lives of their community. The Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is no exception.”

The mission of the AZA Accreditation Commission is to establish, uphold, and raise the highest zoological and aquarium industry standards through self-evaluation, on-site inspection, and peer review. The accreditation process includes an initial application and a two- to three-day inspection by a team of zoo and aquarium professionals. The inspecting team observes all aspects of the facility’s operation in areas such as collection care (including living environment and daily enrichment), keeper training, safety for animals, staff, and visitors, educational programs, conservation efforts, veterinary programs, financial stability, risk management, visitor services, and other areas. The team prepares an extensive written report for the Accreditation Commission. Finally, a formal hearing is held where top officials are interviewed by the Commission, after which accreditation is either granted, tabled, or denied. Any facility that is denied may reapply after the concerns of the Commission have been addressed.

Accreditation of zoos and aquariums became a mandatory requirement for membership in the AZA in 1980. In order to retain membership and remain accredited, zoos and aquariums undergo the complete accreditation process every five years.

AZA was founded in 1924 and currently represents 213 accredited zoos and aquariums, most of which are located in North America. AZA’s mission is to support member excellence in animal care, conservation, education, science, and recreation.
Editor’s Note: Please contact Jane Ballentine, Director of Public Affairs, for additional information about AZA and its members – (301) 562-0777 x252 or jballentine@aza.org

BACKGROUND: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is a 1,650 acre not-for-profit
501(c)3 facility that specializes in captive breeding
programs for endangered and threatened species of animals. It is one of the few private facilities that meet the strict standards set for accreditation by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association and is an important player in global efforts to save endangered species. The Center cooperates in international species survival plans (SSPs) for 14 endangered or threatened species protected by global species survival plan. Fossil Rim’s research in species propagation is advancing the science of wildlife conservation dramatically and fine-tuning a model of what wildlife preserves will look like in the future. For more information, call 254-897-2960 or visit .