The Hattiesburg Zoo is pleased to announce that it has just received accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). AZA accredited zoos and aquariums meet the very highest standards in animal care and welfare and provide a fun, safe and educational family experience.
Jeremy Cumpton, Director of Conservation and Education took the lead in keeping the team focused on achieving this goal. Cumpton had this to say about the announcement, “Achieving AZA Accreditation at the Hattiesburg Zoo has been a goal of mine and the leadership team. “While we have had a strong foundation for accreditation, we have been methodically working on areas that we knew needed improvement,” continued Cumpton. “I am pleased the AZA board recognized our efforts and awarded us with accreditation.”
Of more than 2,800 wildlife exhibitors licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture, the Hattiesburg Zoo joins an elite group of 251 facilities in the United States and overseas, which meet the more comprehensive standards required for accreditation by the AZA. The Hattiesburg Zoo is the only wildlife facility in Mississippi to be accredited by the organization.
AZA accredited zoos and aquariums undergo a thorough review that includes a detailed accreditation application as well as a multiple day, on-site inspection by a team of experts from around the country. The Hattiesburg Zoo’s on-site accreditation review took place in December of 2024, and a leadership team from the Hattiesburg Zoo participated in an accreditation hearing Monday as a part of the AZA’s mid-year conference. At the conclusion of the hearing, the team was notified that the Hattiesburg Zoo did meet the criteria for accreditation.
“Receiving AZA accreditation means that your institution has been thoroughly examined by the nation’s leading experts and meets the world’s most exacting standards for animal welfare, husbandry, veterinary care, safety, staffing, conservation, education, and more,” said Jennifer DiNenna, Vice President of Accreditation Programs. “This is a significant accomplishment of which you and your staff should all be proud.”
“We are pleased to receive this accreditation by the AZA,” said Rick Taylor, Executive Director of the Hattiesburg Convention Commission, which has overseen and managed the Hattiesburg Zoo since 2010. “Our team has focused on professional and effective operation of the Zoo in all areas.” “We constantly review best practices, modify protocols in some cases and ensure the highest level of care within our zoo,” continued Taylor. “This has been several years in the making, and I couldn’t be prouder of our team, which worked together to achieve this accreditation.”
The Hattiesburg Zoo is the only accredited facility in the State of Mississippi by either the Association of Zoos and Aquariums or the Zoological Association of America (ZAA). The zoo received accreditation from the ZAA in October of 2024.
