The main issue of animals being transferred to non-AZA members, he said, was contained to one program.Īshe said that since former Columbus Zoo director Jerry Borin stepped in as interim director in April, he and his team have effectively isolated the issue. There was not a concern about the broader welfare of animals at the zoo, such as elephants or birds, that would incline other AZA member zoos to remove their animals from Columbus, he said. "Those were the major issues involved."Īshe said the AZA was aware of issues at the Columbus Zoo before “The Conservation Game” documentary came out, that the documentary was not a driving force in their decision, but it did make an impact. "So, the issues surrounding the kind of rapid-fire movement of animals into and out of Columbus, in exchange with non-AZA members, clearly for the purpose of supporting the use of those animals principally in entertainment venues is highly troubling and concerning because it cuts at what we see as really part of the bedrock of our reputation," Ashe said. The quick transferring of animals with zoos not accredited by the AZA was an especially important factor in their decision, Ashe said. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has lost its accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a decision that zoo leadership said it plans to appeal.ĭan Ashe, the president of the AZA said the two major issues were financial mismanagement and concern for animal welfare in one of the zoo's programs.
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