COSLEY ZOO RECEIVES ACCREDITATION PLAQUE FROM AZA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: February 22, 2016

Wheaton, Ill.—On September 17, Cosley Zoo earned accreditation for five more years from the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), continuing a 15-year-long tradition of accreditation. And on February 17, at the regular meeting of the Wheaton Park District Board of Commissioners, AZA Executive Director Kris Vehrs recognized the accreditation with a plaque.

AZA accreditation has long been recognized as the national gold standard for animal care and welfare. The rigorous accreditation process involves a meticulous on-site inspection by trained zoo professionals and an interview of top officials at a formal hearing of AZA’s Accreditation Commission. This process must be repeated every five years to regain accreditation.

“The Association of Zoos and Aquariums only accredits zoos and aquariums that meet the highest standards in animal care and welfare,” Vehrs said. “By achieving AZA accreditation, Cosley Zoo has demonstrated that it is dedicated to protecting species and educating its visitors about the natural world.”

The zoo first gained accreditation in 2000 and has done so again three times since then.

“There really is no such thing as re-accreditation,” said Sue Wahlgren, Cosley Zoo’s Director. “It is like starting over each time. You don’t get any ‘passes’ because you were accredited previously.”

Fewer than 10% of USDA-licensed animal exhibitors are awarded AZA accreditation. Along with providing “tangible evidence to our visitors, supporters, and other stakeholders that we meet the highest standards,” Wahlgren said, it also recognizes the staff’s hard work.

“Accreditation is proof that what they [staff] do makes a difference, that the care we provide our animals and the programs we offer our visitors are of the utmost quality,” she said. “There is very little more rewarding as a zoo employee than knowing that you work for an AZA-accredited institution.”

Since opening as the Cosley Children’s Park and Museum in 1974, the zoo has grown significantly, changing its name twice and adding and renovating habitats home to native birds and turtles, pigs, poultry, bobcats, and more. The zoo has also created a butterfly garden and relocated its amphitheater to the front lawn for greater accessibility.

But it is the zoo’s conservation programs, ranging from FrogWatch USA to the Blanding’s Turtle Head Start Program, which make the most impact beyond its own five shady acres.

“The things we teach about local conservation are transferable to global issues,” Wahlgren said. “The conservation messages we share will hopefully motivate our visitors to make changes in how they live their lives, which will positively impact habitat[s] from our backyard to local [nature] preserves and anywhere we visit in the world.”

Vehrs echoed the theme of community and excellence.

“The fact that the community of Wheaton has an accredited zoo speaks volumes,” she said in a video interview. “Cosley Zoo is a community asset and a treasure and I think folks should be proud of their community asset. We can assure the public that this is a facility that has excellence in animal care, excellence in conservation, and excellence in conservation education.”

To learn more about Cosley Zoo and its commitment to the highest standards of animal care and welfare, visit cosleyzoo.org, call 630.665.5534, or stop in at 1356 N. Gary Ave., Wheaton.

For more information about the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, visit aza.org.