Rigorous review recognizes commitment to animal care,  conservation, education, and operational excellence 

John Ball Zoo has once again earned  accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), reaffirming the Zoo’s  commitment to the highest standards of animal care, conservation, education, guest  experience and operational excellence. John Ball Zoo was the first Zoo in MI to receive AZA  accreditation and has retained it for 43 years. 

The accreditation follows a thorough, multi-day inspection conducted earlier this year by  an independent team of zoological experts. AZA accreditation is considered one of the  highest professional distinctions in the zoo and aquarium field. Only approximately 10% of  the nearly 2,150 animal exhibitors licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture are  accredited by AZA. Accredited institutions undergo the comprehensive accreditation  process every five years and are evaluated against continually evolving standards. 

The rigorous review examines every aspect of critical zoo operations, including animal  welfare and management, veterinary care, conservation and research, education, staff  training, safety and security, physical facilities, financial stability, governance, guest  services, and overall operations.

In their report, the AZA accreditation inspectors recognized the considerable progress John  Ball Zoo has made over the past decade. 

“Over the past 10 years, the Zoo has seen an incredible amount of progress,” the AZA  accreditation inspectors wrote. “John Ball Zoo is one of the finest medium-sized facilities  in AZA.” 

The inspectors also highlighted the Zoo’s new pygmy hippo and otter habitats, which  opened as part of the Zoo’s continued investment in the guest experience and animal  habitats. 

“The new pygmy hippo and otter exhibits are excellent, perhaps the best this team has ever  seen, and are at the front of the zoo making an incredible first impression,” the inspectors  wrote. “The zoo is constantly improving and the progress made over the past decade is  exceptional.” 

“I am immensely proud of the incredible team at John Ball Zoo and their tireless  commitment to excellence in animal care, guest experience, education, operational  excellence and saving wildlife,” said Rob VerHeulen, Interim CEO of John Ball Zoo. “This  accreditation reflects the dedication of our entire organization and the high standards our  team brings to its work every day. It is also a tremendous recognition of the Zoo’s growing  impact on conservation here in West Michigan and around the world.” 

The accreditation recognizes the breadth of John Ball Zoo’s impact—from providing  exceptional care for the animals entrusted to the Zoo, to educating hundreds of thousands  of guests, advocating for wildlife and supporting conservation efforts locally, nationally  and around the world. 

“Congratulations to the leadership and staff at John Ball Zoo for attaining the global gold  standard in zoological and aquarium accreditation,” said Dan Ashe, president and CEO of  the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “AZA’s standards continuously evolve to reflect  best practices in the zoo and aquarium profession, with a strong emphasis on animal care  and wellbeing at their core. John Ball Zoo has demonstrated a dedication to this  exceptional level of care.” 

AZA accreditation includes a detailed application and a meticulous multiple-day on-site  inspection by an independent team of zoological professionals. The inspecting team  analyzes all aspects of the facility’s operation, including animal care and wellbeing;  veterinary care; staff training; educational programs; conservation efforts; financial  stability; risk management; governance; and guest services. Detailed reports from the  inspection team and the facility alike are then thoroughly evaluated by the Accreditation  Commission. Finally, the Commission interviews top officials from the facility at a formal 

hearing, after which accreditation is fully granted, provisionally granted for one year, or  denied. 

A thorough review ensures that each facility has met and will continue to meet ever-rising  standards. As a condition of Association membership, AZA facilities must complete this  rigorous accreditation process every five years. 

After this Fall 2026 AZA accreditation cycle, there are 241 AZA-accredited institutions and  14 AZA-accredited related facility members in 12 countries. For a complete list of  accredited AZA facilities, please visit https://www.aza.org/current-accreditation-list.