"Hobbes", Bengal Tiger at Chahinkapa Zoo, died in March of 2020 (Chahinkapa Zoo Facebook)
WAHPETON, N.D. (KFGO) – The Chahinkapa Zoo in Wahpeton has lost its national accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The AZA Independent Accreditation Commission requires facilities to complete a rigorous accreditation process every five years, as a condition of membership.
The process involves observation of a zoo’s operation including animal welfare, veterinary care, keeper training, safety for visitors, staff, and animals, educational programs, conservation efforts, financial stability, risk management, governance, and guest services.
A detailed report of what areas the zoo failed in the review was not available.
Chahinkapa Zoo can appeal the decision, but the AZA says they’re rarely successful. The soonest they can get back in good standing is in 2023. The zoo was first accredited in 1995 and has been re-accredited every 5 years since then.
There are currently 242 AZA-accredited facilities and 14 AZA-certified related facility members throughout the U.S. and in 12 other countries.
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