|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: March 5, 2008
Contact: Debbie Rios-Vanskike
Phone: 734-7184, ext. 1043
Email: dvanskike@sazoo-aq.org
THE SAN ANTONIO ZOO ACCREDITATION RENEWED
The San Antonio Zoo is proud to announce that it has once again been granted Accreditation by the Association of Zoo’s and Aquariums (AZA). The announcement was made today by the AZA Accreditation Commission at the AZA Regional Conference in Birmingham Alabama.
After receiving pages of documentation, and the accreditation application from the San Antonio Zoo, a visiting inspection committee conducted a rigorous three-day inspection during January of this year. The team investigated virtually every facet of the Zoo operations including, but not limited to, animal care, conservation efforts, education programs, safety and financial stability. As part of the accreditation process, San Antonio Zoo Executive Director, Steve McCusker was interviewed today in Birmingham by the Accreditation Commission. It was at this meeting, that the San Antonio Zoo’s Accreditation was granted. “I am very proud to once again, with the help of the entire Zoo staff, continue to reach, and in many cases exceed, the ever-rising AZA industry standards,” stated Mr. McCusker.
Accreditation of zoos and aquariums became a mandatory requirement for AZA membership in 1980. The San Antonio Zoo was the third zoo in the country to receive accreditation and has consistently held its accreditation since 1975.
For more information, please call Debbie Rios Vanskike at the number above.
The San Antonio Zoo is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing the highest standard of care for the animal and plant collections while offering a recreational and educational experience for our many visitors. The Zoo is accredited by the Associations of Zoos and Aquariums and is open 365 days a year. Gates open at 9 am and close at 5 pm and the grounds remain open until 6 pm. Admission for children ages 3 – 11 is $7. Admission for visitors ages 12 and older is $9. Seniors
over the age of 62 pay a discounted rate of $7 and children two and younger are free.
# # #
Photos courtesy of the San Antonio Zoo.
|
