TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) The once-troubled Topeka Zoo has earned its national accreditation for the next five years.
City manager Jim Colson told the city council Tuesday that the zoo was accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The city in 2009 asked the commission to investigate the zoo after several animal deaths and the zoo’s failure to comply with federal rules. The commission considered revoking the zoo’s accreditation in 2010 but delayed the decision.
Inspectors examined the zoo’s operations again in January 2011, leading to the decision to restore the zoo’s full accreditation.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports AZA accreditation will allow the zoo to loan and borrow animals from other accredited zoos, and to participate in breeding programs with them.
