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Above and right: To ensure the health and safety of zoo visitors and animals,
CZS staff routinely perform maintenance on THE CAROUSEL and other zoo
attractions, and clean animal habitats.

his spring, the Chicago Zoological Society (CZS)
T l host a team of investigators at Brookfield Zoo.
wil
These independent zoo and aquarium professionals will complete
To ensure Brookfield Zoo a week-long inspection of the zoo. They will examine the zoo’s
grounds and buildings, observe our animals, pore over our
meets or surpasses the financial and other records, review our education and conserva-

highest standards in tion programs, interview our staff, and much more. The team
will be sent by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA)
animal care and welfare, and its findings will help AZA determine if Brookfield Zoo
should receive AZA membership and accreditation—the
we invite the scrutiny organization’s seal of approval.
Accreditation is the process by which a program, organization,
of recognized experts or institution is assessed by known experts in the profession, and
in the zoo and aquarium is measured against the recognized standards and best practices
of that profession. AZA is the primary accrediting body for zoos
world. Here’s what and aquariums in North America and its accreditation process
is one of the most thorough and rigorous in the zoo and aquari-
they’ve found. um world. Fewer than 10 percent of the nearly 2,800 animal
exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of
Agriculture have received AZA accreditation.
For the past 37 years, CZS/Brookfield Zoo has maintained
AZA accreditation, which has required a complete review and
inspection by AZA every five years. We have also received
accreditation or certification—a similar process—from other

BROOKFIELD ZOO | SPRING 2023 33