Mill Mountain Zoo Earns ZAA Accreditation

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Mill Mountain Zoo is pleased to announce its renewed accreditation by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA),an international association and accrediting body.

ZAA Accreditation is a rigorous process that includes an extensive application, and an invasive site inspection performed by trained and qualified ZAA inspectors. The institution must undergo the complete process every five years to maintain accredited status. To achieve this status, Mill Mountain Zoo provided our specific policies, procedures, and best practices on Animal Welfare & Care, Veterinary Care and Veterinary Health Records, Physical Facility Safety and Security protocols, Animal Diet and Nutrition records, Educational Programming curriculum and programming, Conservation Practices, USDA Licensing and Permits, Safety and Risk Management Contingency plans and procedures, and Adherence to all ZAA Accreditation Standards.

The inspection was performed by a seasoned member of the accreditation committee and the president of the ZAA’s board of directors – both of whom have been in the zoological industry their entire careers. During the inspection, the Zoo demonstrated the maintenance of accurate animal and medical records; our wildlife conservation practices and contributions to the propagation of endangered species; a history of enhancing the survival of critically endangered, endangered, vulnerable, and threatened species using superior welfare measures and required conservation methods; the maintenance of excellence in animal welfare, safety, and high-quality care of the animals; and the safety of staff and visitors. After the document review and the site inspection, the inspectors provided a report for the ZAA Accreditation Committee to review and vote on and then sent their recommendations to the ZAA Board of Directors for a final review and a vote. The accreditation committee and the ZAA board of directors all voted unanimously in favor of accrediting Mill Mountain Zoo. In fact, Mill Mountain Zoo was praised for having an excellent inspection.

Niki Voudren, Mill Mountain Zoo’s Executive Director, said, “The accreditation process is a lengthy grueling process but invaluable and rewarding. While the pursuit of this distinction is voluntary, it was important to our team, and our board of directors, to demonstrate to the community, our guests, and our donors Mill Mountain Zoo’s commitment to practicing superior animal welfare, critical conservation efforts, and innovative educational programs. Being accredited by the ZAA means Mill Mountain Zoo upholds the highest national standards of excellence in animal welfare, ethics, and safety. We could not have accomplished this onerous feat without everyone on our team, our board members, volunteers, our guests and members, the City of Roanoke, and our donors. We are full of gratitude for their hard work and our success. We are so proud to have earned the esteemed honor which proves that Roanoke’s small but mighty zoo is an exceptional, solid, mission-driven zoo with a strong commitment to saving animals and contributing to the propagation of critically endangered species on an international level. We hope that the community will continue to support Roanoke’s historic zoo and our important work.”

The purpose of ZAA is to: Promote legal and ethical methods for sustaining managed wildlife; Encourage responsible conservation of genetics through cooperative propagation programs; Promote high standards and ethics through accreditation programs; and educate the media, policymakers, and the public through advocacy and adherence to best practices.

ZAA Members and accredited facilities are ethically bound to support and implement the Mission, Purpose, and Objectives of ZAA and to: Promote wildlife conservation to our visitors and society at large. Cooperate with colleagues and the broader conservation community to assist in animal propagation, husbandry, care, and conservation in both the managed and wild populations. Possess and abide by all required federal, state, city, county, local, international, and any other related permits. Act in accordance with all federal, state, city, county, local, and international laws and regulations. Conduct all affairs ethically and legally with a high degree of professionalism, honesty, integrity, and fairness to all concerned.

There are only 70 zoos out of approximately 500 to 1,000 zoos in the US that are accredited by the ZAA.

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About Mill Mountain Zoo

Located at the top of Mill Mountain, just off the Blue Ridge Parkway, Mill Motain Zoo overlooks the City of Roanoke.The Zoo was founded in 1952 and is a 501(c)(3) non-profit operated by the Blue Ridge Zoological Society, Inc.

The Zoo is dedicated to promoting an appreciation and understanding of wildlife and habitat preservation using quality exhibits, educational programs, and cooperation with other animal conservation organizations. The facility advances three core beliefs: excellence in the implementation of the highest standards of animal care, conservation management of endangered species, and fostering science education through its animal collection.

The Zoo is accredited by the Zoological Association of America. To attain this accreditation, the Zoo is subject to inspections of its physical facility, the health and wellbeing of its animal collection, and the skills of its staff.