"And I want to wholeheartedly say that it is heartbreaking that the dedicated team that work here today had nothing to do with these decisions or actions are suffering the consequences of those terrible decisions and actions of a few leaders that are no longer here," Ramer said. She said she is furious that the actions of a few individuals in leadership positions who are no longer at the zoo resulted in the denial of the zoo's accreditation. Jan Ramer, senior vice president of animal care and conservation at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium said that she and zoo officials were shocked at the decision and noted that the AZA vote was not unanimous. "I think they have taken some tangible and significant steps forward, and I do think that if they can consolidate those changes, then they'll be in position to reapply for accreditation, and we would welcome Columbus back," he said.ĭr. 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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