![]() ![]() “As a matter of fact,” he added, “Fish and Wildlife gave us a glowing report last Thursday.” Department of Agriculture, and California’s Department of Fish and Wildlife. To stay open, Safari West is required to pass annual inspections by the U.S. While its endorsement is prestigious - it “helps with reputations,” said Hornbostel - the AZA has no power to shut any facility down. Only 10% of those are accredited by the AZA, which describes itself as “the gold standard for modern aquariums and zoos.” Hornbostel estimates that there are some 2,400 licensed facilities with exotic animals across the country. This does not set us back in any way,” he said. We have a great welfare program for them, and have been taking care of them for 30 years. We will continue to show animals that are in good health and in good order. “For the most part, it’s business as usual. How does the AZA’s decision effect Safari West’s day-to-day operations? Very little, said Hornbostel. ![]() But AZA membership is conditioned on adherence to our accreditation standards - the global “gold standard” for modern aquariums and zoos - and our independent Accreditation Commission has determined that Safari West has failed to uphold those standards. “It is always disappointing when AZA loses a member,” said Ashe in his statement, “especially a longtime member like Safari West. If the denial is upheld, Safari West will be eligible to apply for AZA accreditation again in September 2022. Safari West has 30 days to appeal the decision to the association’s Executive Committee, which will then have 45 days to decide whether to grant the appeal. It was very premature on their part,” he said. “We believe the AZA made a mistake by sending out that news release. Hornbostel, the executive director, agreed. She expressed frustration that the Association of Zoos and Aquariums had issued a release, announcing its decision, before Safari West had a chance to make its case in an appeal. The AZA did not make any officials available for comment on Friday.Īsked what specifically the association might have been referring to, with its mention of “veterinary practices,” Safari West communications director Aphrodite Caserta said that, while it is now searching for a full-time staff veterinarian to hire, the preserve does have 5 veterinarians on contract, “all within Sonoma (County), all very well acquainted with our collection.” “Some positive changes were noted, and noteworthy, but the Commission felt that additional time and effort will be required to fully meet AZA accreditation standards.” “I am hopeful that the owners and leadership at Safari West are taking these matters seriously,” he added. 1, following a virtual hearing held by its Accreditation Commission.Īfter a “meticulous on-site multiple-day inspection” of Safari West by “an independent team of trained zoological professionals,” the association’s inspectors noted “serious concerns with veterinary practices and care, and acquisition and disposition of animals,” said the association’s CEO and president Dan Ashe in a release. The association made the decision to not extend that accreditation on Oct. Safari West has been a fully accredited member of the AZA since 1988. “We look forward to going through the appeals process, and feel confident we will overturn the decision.” “We were shocked by their decision,” said Keo Hornbostel, executive director of Safari West, the 400-acre, self-described “Sonoma Serengeti,” roamed by close to 1,000 animals, many of them exotic. That Maryland-based nonprofit is an accrediting organization “for the best zoos and the best aquariums in America and the world,” according to its website. Staff at Safari West, the popular wildlife preserve in the hills above Santa Rosa, were blindsided by a recent decision to deny its continued accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. ![]()
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