We’re proud to announce our incredible team at the The Western North Carolina Nature Center has, once again, earned the gold standard awarded by The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) following a comprehensive accreditation evaluation of our community loved facility.
The WNC Nature Center has been continuously accredited by AZA since 1999, making this its sixth accreditation. Fewer than 10 percent of zoos and aquariums worldwide meet the standards required to earn AZA accreditation, and the WNC Nature Center is one of only eight facilities in North Carolina to hold the designation.
“AZA Accreditation is a cause for celebration. It’s a reminder that we remain among the very
best Zoos and Aquariums in the World,” said WNC Nature Center Director Chris Gentile.
The AZA Accreditation Commission determined that the WNC Nature Center meets AZA’s rigorous standards for animal wellbeing, care and management, as well as education, conservation, veterinary care, safety, governance and other areas of zoo operations.
National Accreditation Standards
To earn AZA accreditation, zoos and aquariums must meet rigorous standards in animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, safety and many other areas. The process includes a detailed application and a meticulous, multiple-day on-site inspection conducted by an independent team of zoological professionals. The inspection team evaluates all aspects of a facility’s operation, including animal care and wellbeing; veterinary care; staff training; educational programs; conservation efforts; financial stability; risk management; governance; and guest services.
“Congratulations to the leadership and staff at the WNC Nature Center for attaining the global gold standard in zoological and aquarium accreditation,” said Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “AZA’s standards continuously evolve to reflect best practices in the zoo and aquarium profession, with a strong emphasis on animal care and wellbeing at their core. The WNC Nature Center has demonstrated a dedication to this exceptional level of care.”
About the WNC Nature Center
Established as Recreation Park Zoo in 1925 and later re-visioned in 1977, the Western North Carolina Nature Center connects people of all ages with the plants and animals of the Southern Appalachians. Asheville’s Wildlife Park is located on forty-two acres and is home to more than sixty species of animals, including red panda, river otter, black bear, red wolves, and cougar. The Nature Center is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums – the gold standard for animal care and welfare.
About the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. AZA is setting the global gold standard, accrediting 255 of the top zoos, aquariums, and related facilities in 12 countries. Look for the AZA accreditation logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting a facility dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a wonderful experience for you, and a better future for all living things. The AZA is a leader in saving species and your link to helpingm animals all over the world. To learn more, visit www.aza.org.