Newsroom

In 2007, AZA's 217 accredited zoos and aquariums attracted 175 million visitors (of which 50 million were children); generated $7.6 billion in annual economic activity, and provided care for more than 700,000 animals. In the last 10 years, school field trips connected more than 12 million students with the natural world. Read more:

Newsletters

Spring 2008
Bountiful Birds, Sustainable Seafood, Dances With Maned Wolves, and Where to See Red Pandas.

Summer 2008
Radical Reptiles, New Exhibits, Monitoring Butterflies, and Where to See Penguins.

Fall 2008
Precious Primates, Do You Want to Work at a Zoo or Aquarium?, Rescuing the Piping Plover, and Where to See Otters.

Press Releases

AZA-accredited Zoos and Aquariums – One-Stop Shopping for the Holidays
November 20, 2008
This year, do your holiday shopping at the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited zoo or aquarium near you. Gift shops are always stocked with fun toys, tasty treats and unique products you won't find anywhere else.
[more]

2008 Year of the Frog: The State of The Frogs
October 12, 2008
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) today released a report on progress made to date on amphibian conservation as zoos and aquariums took up the challenge during 2008, the Year of the Frog. "AZA is proud of the rapid and significant response of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums to save frogs, toads, and salamanders," said AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy.
[more]

Twenty-four North American Zoos and Aquariums Earn AZA Accreditation
September 26, 2008
All twenty four institutions underwent a thorough investigation to insure they have and will continue to meet ever-rising standards which include animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education, and safety.
[more]

Aquariums Vital to Ocean Conservation
June 6, 2008
Aquariums across the country have something to celebrate this World Ocean Day (June 8): their universal support for ocean conservation.
[more]

Orion Seafood International and AZA Announce Partnership
June 6, 2008
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and Orion Seafood today announced a partnership that will support ocean conservation through the sale of all-natural environmentally sustainable Healthy Oceans® Shrimp.
[more]

Red Rover Games Launches Safari Sketch™ Game
June 2, 2008
Safari Sketch™ a new match-three puzzler that transports the player to exotic locales to view endangered species from around the world, Red Rover Games announced a donation of US$2 for each sold copy of Safari Sketch™ to the nonprofit Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
[more]

Nature Zoo Tour Kicks Off On Earth Day
April 16, 2008
Hosted by PBS' Nature Series and Toyota, the tour will highlight endangered species conservation.
[more]

Zoos and Aquariums Kick Off Year of the Frog on Leap Day
February 29, 2006
Today, Leap Day, more than 100 accredited zoos and aquariums in North America, joined by their counterparts around the globe, kicked off the Year of the Frog to educate people about the amphibian conservation crisis. [more]

Leapin' Lizards It's The Geico Gecko At The Houston Zoo
February 28, 2008
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) and the Houston Zoo today, joined by the popular GEICO Gecko costume character and 150 students from Dodson Elementary School, launched the live GEICO Gecko exhibit at the Houston Zoo. [more]

Zoo Support for Elephant Conservation Hits Record Levels
January 8, 2008
The International Elephant Foundation (IEF) today announced their support for 15 new elephant conservation projects for 2008, marking a record level of support. [more]

Statement of AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy on AZA Accreditation
December 28, 2007
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) President and CEO Jim Maddy issued a statement regarding AZA accreditation standards. [more]

Statement of AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy Regarding Tiger Incident at the San Francisco Zoo
December 26, 2007
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) President and CEO Jim Maddy issued the following statement regarding the tiger incident at the San Francisco Zoo: "The entire zoo and aquarium community joins me in expressing sympathy to the family of the guest that lost his life and our deepest hope that the two injured guests will recover." [more]

2007 Top Ten Wildlife Conservation Success Stories
December 18, 2007
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) today announced its top 10 wildlife conservation success stories for 2007. From amphibians to zebras, AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums are spearheading new efforts to protect wild animals - in some cases bringing them back from the brink of extinction. [more]

AZA Announces Conservation Endowment Fund Grants
November 5, 2007
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) today announced that the AZA Conservation Endowment Fund (CEF) has awarded $310,000 to 19 wildlife conservation initiatives. [more]

GEICO to Become Proud Partner of America's Zoos and Aquariums
September 26, 2007
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) have announced a strategic partnership to promote zoo and aquarium wildlife conservation. The announcement took place at AZA's 83rd Annual Convention in Philadelphia. [more]

Carnival Cruise Lines Helps Protect Endangered Species With Donation to Association Of Zoos and Aquariums
February 5, 2007
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) announced today a $10,000 start-up donation from the Carnival Foundation to its Amphibian Conservation Program. AZA's 214 zoos and aquariums are increasing their efforts to provide a safe haven for amphibians as they face the dire threat of extinction in the wild. [more]