Contributed
The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has been granted accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and has also received AZA’s prestigious William G. Conway International Conservation Award for its coexistence initiatives in Kenya.
“We’ve been accredited by AZA since 1978, but getting re-accredited is not something we take for granted,” said Cincinnati Zoo director Thane Maynard. “AZA takes the accreditation process seriously, and member organizations have to demonstrate excellence and adherence to the highest standards to remain in the Association.”
The accreditation process includes a detailed application and a thorough on-site inspection by a team of trained zoo and aquarium professionals. The independent Accreditation Commission observes all aspects of the institution’s operation, including animal care and welfare, veterinary programs, conservation, education and safety. AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete this rigorous accreditation process every five years.
“In my 19 years as Zoo director, I’ve participated in this process five times. It’s a lot of work, but it makes us a stronger organization and helps us to continue to set the bar high for ourselves and stay a world-class zoo,” said Maynard. “The review committee gave us great feedback and was complimentary of our sustainability work and conservation initiatives.”
One of those conservation programs – Empowering Coexistence: An Indigenous Leadership Program for Biodiversity Conservation and Community Resilience – was awarded AZA’s International Conservation Award at the annual awards ceremony at the AZA Conference in Tampa, Florida.
“We are thrilled to have received this award. Empowering coexistence is the pathway to a better world for people and wildlife, and we’re excited to share this recognition with our South Rift Association of Land Owners (SORALO) partners and the 20 years of working together,” said Cincinnati Zoo’s director of global conservation Dr. Lily Maynard.
SORALO and the Cincinnati Zoo have built a partnership rooted in community-led conservation across Kenya’s South Rift—a vital corridor supporting lions, elephants, cheetahs, giraffes, and other threatened species. This conservation model empowers Indigenous Maasai communities to manage land sustainably while reducing human-wildlife conflict through coexistence strategies.
“We believe lasting impact comes from active, capacity-building partnerships,” said Dr. Maynard. “We’ve deepened our commitment to SORALO by aligning our skills with their needs. This expanded vision has opened up opportunities for more than two dozen Zoo staff members with the desired skillsets to travel to SORALO to support strategic planning, sustainability initiatives, building capacity, research projects, and much more!”
To learn more about Cincinnati Zoo’s conservation programs, visit Conservation | Cincinnati Zoo. To learn what you can do to support these initiatives, visit Support the Cincinnati Zoo.
This is an AMAZING zoo
Constantly in the news for doing great things
People giving the zoo millons and black folks loosing millons from job loss and DEI cutbacks.
Makes me wonder if we are worth less than an animal?
The best zoo in America and kept clean with interesting events.
Fun Christmas light up show for the entire family. Food trucks and botanical gardens.