CT’s Beardsley Zoo earns AZA accreditation and 2 education awards [Video]

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — At this year’s Annual Conference, those representing Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, a Bridgeport facility, were thrilled to hear the findings of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ independent Accreditation Commission.

At the conference in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, it was announced that the zoo received accreditation from the AZA. At the same conference, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo also won two AZA Education Awards.

The zoo said that the AZA Commission reviews accreditation applications from top zoos, aquariums and related facilities worldwide twice a year and that 33 facilities earned accreditation at this year’s Annual Conference.

To receive accreditation, a facility must complete a detailed application, multi-day inspection by an independent team and thorough evaluations of animal care, safety, education, conservation and more.

The commission reviews inspection reports before …