Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium Pittsburgh Zoo News 2015

Zoo Montana had to return animals that were on loan or send animals to other AZA zoos and that should be the case with Pittsburgh as well.

It is interesting to note that the number of AZA zoos is always changing, as just in the past 5 years there has been Pittsburgh, Montgomery, Niabi, Six Flags and Montana all no longer being AZA accredited. On the flip side there has been a number of newly minted zoos, including at least one or two of the Sea Life franchises.

 

I too believe this is a very bad decision on the Zoo's part. It seems that the only regulation the Zoo had problems with were the protected regulations for their elephants. Protected contact is a progressive way of effectively and safely managing elephants in captivity. With the inevitable transfer of numerous animals out of Pittsburgh back to their respected AZA institutions, it seems like an awful lot to give up just to continue the status quo. The sad part is, if the Zoo wants to have elephants long term, they'll have to eventually adopt a similar, if not exact protected contact program.

 

The Toronto Zoo has had issues since the loss of their AZA accreditation in 2012 (due to the involvement of city council in authorizing the transfer of the elephants to PAWS). They wrote a report last year giving some details of what they are facing: Agenda Item History - 2014.ZB33.2 (first attached document). Specific examples include delays in the transfer in of 2 white rhinos and accredited zoos refusing to transfer a male orangutan and 1 (possibly 2) male Masai giraffe that had breeding recommendations.

 

In Toronto's case the transfers into the zoo that Adams7 mentioned was just the tip of the iceberg. There were tons of other recommended transfers that fell through when zoos refused to send their animals to Toronto. Added to that was the problem of sending out animals. There were lots of transfers to US zoos which didn't happen as well taking up valuable space that could have been used for breeding. Many transfers out went to CAZA zoos because well its the Canadian version of the AZA. But not being an AZA member has been a significant problem for the zoo which could get worse as Adams7's document details. Hopefully Toronto gets back its accreditation before it gets worse.

 

Having spoken personally with zoo professionals from both AZA and non-AZA facilities, it is my personal opinion that the AZA does more harm than good. I don't want to derail this zoo news thread with a long list of reasons, but if someone wants to take up the fight (because I know many of you disagree with me) they can start a new thread on the topic of accreditation. Anyway my hope is that if enough big players like Pittsburgh get fed up and follow suit, the AZA will implode.

 

Looks like the thread is already starting to get derailed... should we start a new thread about Pittsburgh's departure so that it doesn't swamp this news feed anymore?

 

Considering most of Pitts SSPs are green there really isn't anything from keeping them from doing breeding exchanges with other AZA facilities. On the flip side Pittsburgh owns some very valuable animals genetically i.e Amur tigers, gorilla, Phillipine croc etc. Also the largest, most genetically diverse African elephant herd in the country which is the main reason for pulling out of AZA. And I'm sure you will see some other major facilities with both species of elephant following suit in the near future. It's a shame the AZA doesn't let the people working with the elephants make the decisions about them. And with recent developments at TNEC and other elephant moves a lot of faith in AZAs elephant decision making has been lost

 

Sounds like one more reason to not be a member then.

 

Pittsburgh Zoo loses sea turtle program, playground grant after dropping accreditation | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Pittsburgh Zoo Says Turtles Are Safe Following Break With Accreditation Program | 90.5 WESA

 

Pittsburgh Zoo disqualified for six-figure state grant after dropping accreditation | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Zoological Association of America is committed to animal welfare and public safety | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Pittsburgh Zoo rejects group's elephant safety procedures | TribLIVE Mobile

 

KaBOOM! and Duquesne Light are the new partners to the zoo's new playground that will open Animal Connections Playground in October.

 

Photo of zoo's new playground.

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10153172454416699&id=35942576698

 

Pittsburgh Zoo receives largest-ever gift, $9 million | Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

 

Zoo Press Release on Animal Connections Playground Renovations

Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium

 

Pittsburgh Zoo Receives Largest Grant in History | 90.5 WESA

 

From the zoo's e-newsletter:

The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium is preparing for cooler weather and some of our animals are moving–inside that is–for the winter. Heading indoors are the clouded leopards, siamangs, and warty pigs. Visitors will still have the opportunity to enjoy these three species in their new exhibits through large viewing windows. Starting November 2, The Islands will be closed completely as new pavers are installed. Jambo Grill and Swahili Pizza will be open and accessible.

 

Two new ostriches have joined Ladybird in African Savanna.

 

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