Association of Zoos and Aquariums CEO presents award during Metro Council meeting
The president of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums presented Kim Smith, director of the Oregon Zoo, with its prestigious AZA Exhibit Award for the zoo’s Predators of the Serengeti exhibit during the Metro Council meeting this week.
“Our community treasures its zoo as the crown jewel of the region,” said Metro Chief Operating Officer Michael Jordan. “Kim Smith and her dedicated team, along with The Oregon Zoo Foundation, are very deserving of this esteemed award. On behalf of the Metro Council and our entire agency, I commend our devoted zoo staff and OZF donors –– we could not be more pleased.”
The Oregon Zoo Foundation raised more than $7 million for the award-winning exhibit.
“This award represents the culmination of efforts of many individuals and organizations—they implemented the strong vision of bringing African predators like the lions, cheetahs, wild dogs and caracals to our community,” Jordan said. “The drive and determination of OZF and its generous donors cannot be overstated. Our partnership with our dedicated nonprofit continues to be invaluable.”
Predators of the Serengeti, which features lions, cheetah and wild dogs, was one of 12 exhibits under consideration for the AZA award. Earlier this year, the exhibit received an Excellence in Concrete Award for craftsmanship, and an independent evaluator called Predators of the Serengeti “an excellent model to which all zoo exhibit designers should look.”
“I am so proud of the hard work, perseverance and dedication to animal care and conservation our staff demonstrated with the Predators of the Serengeti exhibit,” Smith said. “They earned this honor. Of course, we couldn’t have built the exhibit without the dedication and leadership of The Oregon Zoo Foundation board of trustees, staff and donors.”
“This award is the highest honor for new exhibits, and the Oregon Zoo is on the leading edge of zoological exhibits in North America,” said Jim Maddy, president and CEO of AZA. “This exhibit demonstrates the Oregon Zoo’s dedication to the best in animal care and public education.”
The zoo also received reaccreditation by the AZA. An inspection team visited the zoo in July.
“I’m pleased that we continue to receive great feedback from our colleagues around the country,” Smith said. “Oregon has a great zoo, and this process allows us to review everything we do so we can make our institution even better.”
The accreditation process, which takes place every five years, provides an important review of all aspects of the zoo. The AZA inspection team, which included a veterinarian, curator and operations expert from major West Coast zoos, scrutinized zoo operations, including animal care, exhibits, conservation, education, guest services, facilities and maintenance.
In 1974, the Oregon Zoo became the second zoo in the country to earn the distinction of being accredited by the AZA, which sets industry-wide standards for prominent zoos around the country. Zoos must be reaccredited every five years.
Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science and recreation.
The mission of The Oregon Zoo Foundation is to foster community pride and involvement in the Oregon Zoo and to secure financial support for the zoo’s conservation, education and animal welfare programs. OZF secures private funding for the zoo from individuals, foundations and corporations, and manages a membership program of more than 49,000 households. OZF has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator (2005-2009).