The Collective Impact of AZA-Accredited Zoos and Aquariums

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Each day millions of visitors enjoy their local zoos and aquariums. Most don't realize that their hometown zoo or aquarium is part of a powerful, caring industry with enormous collective impact.

©Judith Pew

Science Education

In the last 10 years, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums formally trained more that 400,000 teachers, supporting science curricula with effective teaching materials and hands-on opportunities. School field trips connected more than 12,000,000 students with the natural world.

Popular Family Fun

Two hundred and seventeen AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums attracted more than 175 million visitors in 2007, up 9 percent from 2006. Approximately 50 million visitors were children, making accredited zoos and aquariums some of the best places for families to connect with nature and each other.

Global Conservation Leadership

Over the last five years, AZA-accredited institutions supported more than 3,700 conservation projects with $89,000,000 in more than 100 countries. In addition, zoo and aquarium scientists contribute to hundreds of conservation, biology, and veterinary science publications.

Saving Endangered Species

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are leaders in the protection of endangered species. Twenty years ago, AZA established the Species Survival Plan Program® (SSP) program – a long-term plan involving conservation breeding, habitat preservation, public education, field conservation, and supportive research to ensure survival for many of the planet's threatened and endangered species. Currently, AZA members are involved in 114 SSPs working on behalf of 182 species.

Experts in Animal Care

Highly-trained staff at AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are providing excellent care for more than 700,000 animals. As part of AZA's mandatory accreditation process, AZA members meet rigorous professional standards for animal welfare, veterinary care, wildlife conservation, scientific research, education, safety, staffing, and more.

Economic Engines

AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums enhance local and regional economies, collectively generating $7.6 billion in annual economic activity and supporting more than 74,000 jobs.

Conservation and Volunteerism

As centers for conservation involvement, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums offer the public a great way to discover connections to their environment and to learn how they can make a difference in conservation. Annually, more than 60,000 people invest over 3,000,000 hours supporting their communities by volunteering at local zoos and aquariums.

Look for the AZA Logo

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a leader in global wildlife conservation, and your link to helping animals in their native habitats. Look for the AZA logo whenever you visit a zoo or aquarium as your assurance that you are supporting an institution dedicated to providing excellent care for animals, a great experience for you, and a better future for all living things.

*Based on a survey collecting data from 2007.