safari west aza accreditation

Safari West wildlife preserve in Santa Rosa loses accreditation

Safari West's loss of accreditation does not stop the preserve from operating, but it is a loss of prestige in the industry. Safari West is appealing the decision.

SANTA ROSA, Calif. - At Safari West all seemed normal on the outside Thursday. But on the inside: "We are devastated," said Keo Hornbostel, executive director of Safari West.

He says he is devastated that the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, or AZA, has denied Safari West's accreditation for the first time since it was initially accredited more than 30 years ago.

The loss of accreditation does not stop the preserve from operating, but it is a loss of prestige in the industry.

"You want to be able to have that on your resume that says you are accredited. And AZA is the gold standard," said Hornbostel.

The independent accreditation commission noted serious concerns with veterinary practices and care, and with how it acquires and removes its animals.

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"Members have to show a very high standard of responsibility for where they get animals and where they sell animals to. And that was an issue in this case," said Dan Ashe, President of the AZA.

Safari West is appealing the decision.

It says it has operated the same way for decades in how it acquires animals and sends them to other places without any past AZA objections.

"The basis for their decision was wrong. And that is why we are going through the appeal process. Some of the information they were provided is not accurate," said Hornbostel.

Located outside Santa Rosa in Sonoma County , Safari West draws 70,000 visitors a year to see 98 different species.

The AZA cited problems with having all of its vets on contract working off-site.

"Having our vet care compromised is not true at all. If they are not here we are on the phone with them while they are on their way up here," says Hornbostel.

Safari West says it is hiring a vet next year who will be on the grounds full time.

KTVU spoke with two former employees, one who said Safari West is not the, "fanciful place that it is made out to be."

They criticized the system of veterinary care and questioned the safety of the tour vehicles, an issue that was not raised in the accreditation report.

If Safari West should lose its appeal, it can apply for reinstatement in about a year.

Learn more about Safari West here . 

Watch CBS News

Santa Rosa's Popular Safari West Wildlife Preserve Stripped of Accreditation

October 16, 2021 / 10:25 AM PDT / CBS San Francisco

SANTA ROSA (AP) — A popular wildlife preserve in the North Bay has been stripped of accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums over concerns about the facility's care for animals.

The association, also known as the AZA, announced this week that it would deny its "gold standard" accreditation to Santa Rosa's Safari West, according to local media reports on Friday.

"The Commission noted serious concerns with veterinary practices and care, and acquisition and disposition of animals," Dan Ashe, the association's president, said in a statement. "I am hopeful that the owners and leadership at Safari West are taking these matters seriously."

There are reports that Safari West is appealing the decision. Executive director Keo Hornbostel said its operations remain largely unchanged in the decades since it first received AZA accreditation.

"Some of the information they were provided is not accurate," Hornbostel told the news station. "Having our vet care compromised is not true at all."

After the appeal is filed, AZA's commission has 45 days to change its mind. If the denial is upheld, the association said, Safari West can apply again next September.

© Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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AZA releases statement on two recent accreditation denials

Words:  Charlotte Coates

| 4 min read

Commission votes to deny accreditation to Safari West & Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

AZA,  the Association of Zoos and Aquariums , has announced that its independent Accreditation Commission voted to deny accreditation to Safari West and to Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, during a virtual hearing on 1 October 2021.

The inspections and hearings would have taken place in 2020, but due to the pandemic, AZA-accredited facilities were granted a one-year stay.

Safari West

Following the hearing, Dan Ashe , AZA President and CEO, issued the following statement regarding Safari West:

“It is always disappointing when AZA loses a member, especially a long-time member like Safari West. 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.

“The Commission noted serious concerns with veterinary practices and care, and acquisition and disposition of animals. I am hopeful that the owners and leadership at Safari West are taking these matters seriously. 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.

“To Safari West employees, we acknowledge your disappointment. Your professionalism and commitment will be crucial to regaining accreditation and we do hope to see Safari West and you back within our community.”

The attraction was first certified as an AZA Related Facility in 1988 and maintained this until being granted accreditation in 2010, and again in 2015.

Safari West was first granted certification as an AZA Related Facility in 1988 and maintained that membership until they applied for and were granted accreditation in 2010.

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was first accredited by AZA in 1980. Speaking about the decision, Ashe said:

“It is never a good day when AZA loses a member, especially one as renowned and respected as the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. 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 Columbus has failed to uphold those standards.

“Issues of financial mismanagement have been reviewed by an independent forensic analysis and reported on in the media .  Those issues alone are serious. More substantial and concerning is a long record of intentional and repeated animal transfers with non-AZA members intended to supply baby animals – mainly big cats – for entertainment purposes.

“Given the number and gravity of concerns that the inspection team identified, the Commission concluded that although Columbus is working hard to correct the issues, the zoo should not be accredited at this time.

“I am confident the leadership and Board of Directors at Columbus are taking these matters seriously, and in fact, they have already instituted significant changes. Yesterday’s news about the selection of Tom Schmid as their new President and CEO is welcome and encouraging. However, the Commission felt that additional time will be required to let these and other changes take hold.

“To the employees of Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, we acknowledge your good work. Much of the accreditation inspection report was exceedingly positive and reflective of your professionalism. We hope to see Columbus Zoo and Aquarium and you back within our community soon.”

Upholding AZA standards

“Although we are sad at losing a member, we believe this exemplifies what distinguishes AZA accreditation, helping earn its reputation as the global ‘gold standard’ for modern zoos and aquariums,” added Ashe. “In the past five years, ten facilities have failed AZA’s accreditation process. Large and small, zoo and aquarium, internationally famous and locally loved, all AZA members are accountable to our standards. If they do not uphold them, they will not be accredited.”

Both attractions now have 30 days to appeal this decision to the AZA Executive Committee, which then must decide within 45 days whether to grant the appeal. If an appeal is granted, it will be heard by the AZA Board of Directors at its next meeting. If the denial is upheld, they will be eligible to apply for AZA accreditation again in September 2022.

Zoos wishing to be accredited must submit a detailed application, and undergo a meticulous on-site inspection over the course of several days. This is undertaken by an independent team of zoo professionals, who explore all areas of the facility’s operations. Detailed reports from the inspection team and the facility are then evaluated by the Accreditation Commission, with top officials being interviewed in person at a formal hearing, after which accreditation is granted, tabled, or denied.

Each facility undergoes a thorough review every five years, to make sure it has and will continue to meet standards. There are currently 241 AZA-accredited facilities and 15 AZA-certified related facility members throughout the US and 12 other countries.

Last month AZA, alongside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, announced the launch of Endangered Species COVID-19 Relief , funded by the American Rescue Plan. 

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Popular Northern California Safari Park Loses Accreditation Over Treatment of Animals

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has stripped the accreditation of Santa Rosa’s Safari West over concerns of the treatment of animals at the facility. Safari West is appealing the decision.

Following a a meticulous on-site multiple-day inspection by an independent team of trained zoological professionals, AZA noted serious concerns with veterinary practices and care at the facility, as well as the acquisition and disposition of animals.

“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,” said Dan Ashe, AZA President and CEO, in a statement.

Safari West is a 400-acre wilderness facility With about 900 animals representing more than 90 different species roaming across some of the largest habitats in the country. Animals found at the facility include cheetahs, lemurs, monkeys and giraffes. Visitors come from all over to see the animals on a safari or experience a glamping and culinary experience with a “Sonoma Senergeti” vibe.

According to the Safari Wes Executive Director Keo Hornbostel, the operations at the facility have remained mostly unchanged since it was accredited in 1993.

“Some of the information they were provided is not accurate,” Hornbostel said to KTVU-TV . “Having our vet care compromised is not true at all.”

The future of the facility remains unclear, but the appeal will likely take 45 days to complete. If the denial is upheld, Safari West will be eligible to apply for AZA accreditation again in September 2022.

Here’s a video glimpse into the park:

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Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk – the view from above

No comments · Posted by Sergei Rzhevsky in Cities , Travel

Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is a city with a population of about 200 thousand people located in the southeastern part of Sakhalin Island in the Far East of Russia , the capital of Sakhalin Oblast .

It is the sixth largest city in the Russian Far East, in which Russian and Japanese cultures are closely intertwined. Here you can often see old Japanese buildings and monuments. The distance from Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk to Moscow , if flying by plane, is 6,640 km and 9,280 km (by car). Photos by: Slava Stepanov .

Victory Square – one of the main squares of Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Cathedral of the Nativity.

About one third of the total population of Sakhalin Island lives in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk.

Lenin Square.

Sakhalin Regional Museum of Local Lore housed in a Japanese building constructed in the Imperial Crown Style in 1937. This is the only such building on Sakhalin and throughout Russia.

The climate in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk is quite mild, there are no severe frosts in winter, and heat in summer. The coldest month is January with an average temperature of about minus 12 degrees Celsius. The warmest month is August (plus 17 degrees Celsius). Clear and dry weather sets in early September – the best time to visit Sakhalin.

House of Government of Sakhalin Oblast.

“Chekhov Center” – the only drama theater in Sakhalin Oblast.

Sakhalin residents often call the rest of Russia “the mainland.” You can get out of the island by plane, ferry, or other water transport.

Park named after Yuri Gagarin.

Roman Catholic Church “Parish of St. James”. In addition to divine services, organ and violin concerts are held here.

Museum of Railway Technology.

Church of the Resurrection.

Stadium “Cosmos” in Gagarin Park.

Stele “Cities of the Sakhalin Region”.

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