General and Ohio Auditor of State are still in motion. Current investigations by the Ohio Attorney The mismanagement of financial resources was confirmed in March after audits initiated by the zoo’s board revealed “improper spending and questionable business practices by the former top two executives,” leading to more than $630,000 in losses.įormer President and CEO Tom Stalf and CFO Greg Bell voluntarily resigned after the audit was completed. The zoo announced in July that it had ended their relationships with animal vendors who do not meet certain standards of animal care. Photo courtesy of Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. Jack Hanna poses with Columbus Zoo and Aquarium staff and cheetah for public event. ![]() Jack Hanna’s family shared that the former Columbus Zoo director had been diagnosed with dementia back in April. The 2021 documentary film, “The Conservation Game,” alleged that Jack Hanna and the Columbus Zoo worked with backyard breeders and roadside zoos, violating AZA standards for years. While the AZA had expressed concern over “inappropriate financial management issues by former leadership” at the Columbus Zoo, the organization also said the Columbus Zoo’s repeated animal transfers with non-AZA members to supply baby animals for entertainment purposes were even “more substantial and concerning.” Accredited organizations must renew their accreditation every five years. Their accreditation process is meant to ensure that zoo facilities are meeting industry standards for animal welfare and care, education, veterinary programs, safety and conservation. ![]() The AZA is recognized as the industry’s top accrediting body for zoos within the United States and a dozen other countries. In its statement, the Columbus Zoo said it hopes the AZA will “table” its decision, which gives the Zoo a year to prove its sustained commitment to change while it retains its accreditation.The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium lost its Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation in early October. We’ve also made changes and updated policies to ensure those cannot happen again,” said Jerry Borin, interim CEO and President of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in a press release. We’ve acknowledged the wrongdoings of the past. Nobody currently working at the Zoo had anything to do with the position we find ourselves in today. The poor decisions of a handful of people should not negate the good work this team does and how much staff members contribute to the AZA through committee work and leadership roles. “At the time of the AZA inspection by the visiting committee in July, we believe the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium met the AZA standards required for accreditation. The Columbus Zoo announced it will be appealing the AZA’s decision. Both Bell and Stalf resigned, and the Zoo recently named Tom Schmid as its new CEO. ![]() This is likely referring to an investigation from earlier this year that more than $600,000 in funds had been misappropriated by former President and CEO Tom Stalf and former Chief Financial Officer Greg Bell. The AZA cited concerns about financial management from past zoo leadership, according to a statement released by the Columbus Zoo today. According to the Zoo, the AZA did commend the institution for 17 points of “exemplary work”, and their decision to deny accreditation was not unanimous. The AZA visited in July to perform an inspection.
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