EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — The El Paso Zoo recently received a follow-up inspection from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), in what will be a make-or-break assessment by the organization on whether or not to reaccredit the zoo by the end of this month.
“So in the last year, we had three options. You get your accreditation, you do not get your accreditation, or you get a year. They call it provisional accreditation. The zoo received a one-year provisional accreditation from AZA last year. So this year it’s pass or fail, basically,” said Joe Montisano, director of the El Paso Zoo and Botanical Gardens.
Zoos and aquariums accredited by the AZA go through an accreditation process every five years, where they are evaluated through a detailed inspection and other requirements to ensure the facilities meet the AZA’s standard for animal welfare, care, management, and much more.
Montisano said the AZA granted them the one-year accreditation extension due to the uncertainty about how the zoo would operate in the future as their decades-long partnership with the El Paso Zoological Society – now known as the Conservation Society of El Paso – was coming to an end.
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“They did our inspection in January and because at that time things were a little in turmoil with our Zoological Society, and the contract had not ended yet. And we did not have an effective, DEIA (diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility) policy in place, which is a requirement for us to do as well,” Montisano said.
The follow-up inspection report made note of both achievements and issues of concern for the zoo. You can find the report below.
The inspection report highlighted that the zoo made significant housekeeping improvements to the Africa animal barns since the last inspection.
Inspectors also commended the zoo’s staff. The report listed examples highlighting how the “exceptional medical skill and commitment” from the veterinary team helped save the life of an animal, and how the zoo’s safety and security officer has undertaken efforts to create a safe culture throughout the zoo.
The report, however, notes that while the zoo made progress in addressing some deferred maintenance issues raised during last year’s inspection, such as replacing guardrail and pathway fencing in the Asia section of the zoo, it states that there is still a “significant need” to further address other issues in the area such as cracked, degraded walkway paving.
The report also raised new concerns of deferred maintenance, such as the Africa section boardwalk having rotting wood rails, worn or damaged wire in-fill, and worn or rotting decking.
Montisano, however, said he is confident after the inspection and believes they are in a good position to be reaccredited. He said they have addressed most problems the AZA has pointed out, and that those remaining are either already being worked on, or there is a clear plan and funding to address the problem.
“We’re an older facility, too. I mean, we have to take that into consideration. We’re not brand new. We’re about a hundred years old. And, you know, it’s a tough environment out here with this desert as well. It beats things up a little quicker than other places, I think. But again, answering all their concerns is the main thing and we have done that. So we’re pretty confident,” Montisano said.
Montisano said that being AZA certified is a significant benefit for the zoo, allowing them seamless collaboration with well over 200 other zoos and aquariums that are also AZA certified. He said, however, that if they were to lose the accreditation, it wouldn’t mean much for guests’ experience.
“For guests, it doesn’t really change anything. But for us it’s a gold standard, if you will. So it’s the stamp of approval,” Montisano said.
Montisano said that for the animals in the zoo who are on loan from AZA-accredited zoos, they would just need to fill out paperwork where they would promise to ensure the animals are being cared for to the standards of the AZA.
The AZA has a page dedicated to outlining the benefits zoos and aquariums receive by being accredited. You can find that by clicking here.
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