Association of Zoos & Aquariums

What Association of Zoos & Aquariums does

The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), founded in 1924 as The American Association of Zoological Parks & Aquariums and headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit professional association and accrediting body serving more than 240 zoos, aquariums, and related facilities across 12 countries. Its core product is the AZA Accreditation Program, a rigorous multi-day on-site inspection process conducted by an independent Accreditation Commission and renewed every five years, which serves as the de facto gold standard for animal care and wellbeing in the North American zoological sector. AZA-accredited facilities collectively draw over 209 million visitors annually and participate in nearly 500 cooperative animal programs, including 42 Taxon Advisory Groups, Species Survival Plan Programs, and Studbook Programs that coordinate genetic and population management across the network.

AZA operates a diversified nonprofit revenue model spanning recurring membership dues across multiple tiers (Organization, Individual, Conservation Partner, Society Partner, Commercial, Student, Advocate), professional development courses delivered through the AZA Learn platform, the annual conference (3,000+ attendees, 224 exhibitors) and mid-year meeting, charitable donations across named programs (SAFE, Employee Relief Fund, Wildlife Trafficking Alliance), and program-specific grants. Core programmatic offerings extend beyond accreditation into the SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction conservation initiative, the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance (100+ member coalition), the Wildlife Confiscations Network (launched 2025 with USFWS), the Reciprocal Admissions Program enabling member cross-visitation, and the Conservation Grants Fund and SAFE Granting Program distributing field conservation funding.

The organization is governed by a Board of Directors (current Chair: Dr. Chris Dold) and led by President and CEO Dan Ashe with an executive team including Executive Vice President Craig Hoover and Senior Advisor on Wildlife Trafficking Sara Walker. AZA holds GuideStar Gold and Charity Navigator Four-Star ratings, maintains registered trademarks on its brand and major programs, and operates an 11-50 employee staff. Its technology footprint is conventional web infrastructure (cookies, Google Analytics, member portal) without disclosed proprietary technology products or AI/ML capabilities. AZA's competitive position rests on its century-long institutional credibility, its regulatory accreditation monopoly, the network effects inherent in cooperative animal management, and a deeply embedded ecosystem of government, commercial, and conservation partnerships.

Name

Association of Zoos & Aquariums

Legal name

The American Association of Zoological Parks & Aquariums

Website

https://aza.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1924

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Association of Zoos & Aquariums is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1924 that accredits 240+ zoos and aquariums across 12 countries, manages nearly 500 cooperative animal breeding and conservation programs, and operates professional development, conferences, and anti-trafficking initiatives for its member institutions and the broader zoological community.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Zoo and Aquarium Accreditation and Conservation Services

NAICS

Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312), Zoos and Botanical Gardens (71213)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Wildlife Conservation & Species Protection (BPAGAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Zoos, Aquariums & Botanical Gardens (Educational Collections) (THAJADAL), Wildlife Rescue, Rehabilitation & Release (BPAGAIAC), Wildlife Health & Conservation Disease Management (HLAMAJAM)

Keywords

• Zoo aquarium accreditation
• Animal welfare standards
• Conservation grant programs
• Wildlife trafficking prevention
• Professional membership association

Headquarters

HQ city

Silver Spring

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Dues: AZA generates revenue through various membership categories including Organization Membership, Individual Membership, Conservation Partner, Society Partner, Commercial Membership, Student Membership, and Advocate Membership, each with associated fees.
2. Conferences and Events: Revenue from the Annual Conference and Mid-Year Meeting including registration fees, exhibit hall participation, and sponsorship opportunities.
3. Professional Development Courses: AZA offers professional development courses including Animal Transport, Animal Training Applications, Animal Welfare, Avian Leadership, Conservation Learning, and Population Management courses for a fee.
4. Job Postings: AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, Certified Related Facilities, Commercial Members, Conservation Partners, and Society Partners may post free unlimited online job listings. Non-members may purchase online job listings at $400 per month.
5. Donations and Charitable Contributions: AZA accepts donations for various initiatives including SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction, the general AZA fund, Animal Care and Wellbeing Grants Fund, Employee Relief Fund, and Wildlife Trafficking Alliance.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

The Association of Zoos & Aquariums is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership association that accredits zoos, aquariums, and related facilities against rigorous animal-care and wellbeing standards. It operates cooperative animal population programs (Species Survival Plans, Taxon Advisory Groups, Studbooks), runs conservation and anti-trafficking initiatives (SAFE, Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, Wildlife Confiscations Network), and delivers professional development through AZA Learn courses, an Annual Conference, and the Director's Edge executive leadership series.

Product overview

The Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit accreditation organization that operates a platform of interconnected programs and services rather than a traditional software product. The core offering is the AZA Accreditation Program, which sets the gold standard for zoo and aquarium animal care and wellbeing. Supporting this are conservation initiatives including SAFE (Saving Animals From Extinction), the Wildlife Trafficking Alliance, and the Wildlife Confiscations Network. AZA also provides professional development through AZA Learn courses, the Director's Edge executive leadership series, and an Annual Conference. Additional services include the Conservation Grants Fund, SAFE Granting Program, Wild Futures Grant Program (with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom), and the Reciprocal Admissions Program enabling member access across 240+ accredited institutions. The organization manages nearly 500 Animal Population Management Programs including Taxon Advisory Groups and Species Survival Plan Programs.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction: AZA's flagship conservation program focusing collective expertise within AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums to save species from extinction.
• Wildlife Trafficking Alliance (WTA)
• AZA SAFE
• Species Survival Plan Programs

Products and services

• AZA Accreditation Program Gold-standard accreditation program for zoos, aquariums, and related facilities, involving detailed applications, multi-day on-site inspections, and formal Accreditation Commission hearings with renewal required every five years. Serves over 240 institutions across 12 countries.
• SAFE: Saving Animals From Extinction AZA's flagship conservation initiative engaging accredited zoos and aquariums to save species from extinction, leveraging 200+ million annual visitors for species preservation.
• Wildlife Trafficking Alliance Coalition of over 100 AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, companies, and nonprofit organizations working to reduce illegal wildlife trade and trafficking.
• Animal Population Management Programs Cooperative animal management programs comprising Taxon Advisory Groups, Species Survival Plan Programs, and Studbook Programs, responsible for species management, conservation, and scientific initiatives across the accredited network.
• AZA Learn Online professional development platform offering paid courses for zoo and aquarium professionals in animal transport, training, welfare, population management, leadership, and conservation learning.
• Annual Conference Annual professional conference that brings together thousands of zoo and aquarium professionals for education, networking, accreditation hearings, committee meetings, and a sold-out exhibit hall of vendors.
• AZA Reciprocal Admissions Program Reciprocal admissions program allowing members of AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums to receive discounted or free admission at other participating AZA facilities.
• Conservation Grants Fund Grant program that provides funding for field conservation projects led by AZA member institutions.
• SAFE Granting Program Grant program supporting SAFE species conservation initiatives at AZA facilities, structured around matching grant challenges.
• Wild Futures Grant Program Pilot grant initiative created in collaboration with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom to fund youth conservation education at AZA member organizations.
• Wildlife Confiscations Network Operational network coordinated with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and California Department of Fish and Wildlife to provide care and placement for animals confiscated from illegal wildlife trade across multiple states including Southern California.
• Director's Edge Executive Leadership Development Series Executive leadership development series designed for CEOs and directors of AZA member institutions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 209 million visitors annually to AZA-accredited facilities
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• FedExminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 June 2026FedEx transported harbor seal Walnut from Los Angeles Zoo to Blank Park Zoo through its FedEx Cares Delivering for Good initiative, demonstrating unconventional use of FedEx's global logistics network for wildlife relocation.
• SeaWorld San DiegominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 June 2026SeaWorld San Diego provided a specialized transport crate for harbor seal Walnut's journey coordinated through AZA.
• Mutual of Omaha's Wild KingdomcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026AZA collaborated with Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom to create the Wild Futures Grant Program, a pilot initiative supporting youth conservation education at AZA member organizations. Four AZA-accredited institutions each received $10,000 grants for hands-on conservation work with young people.
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026AZA and IFAW jointly published the report 'Primates for Purchase: The Surge in Sales on Social Media in the US', the first US-only analysis of primate sales via social media. The report found over 1,600 primates listed for sale across Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube during a six-week monitoring period.
• World Wildlife Fund (WWF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 May 2026AZA partnered with WWF on the primate trade report, contributing to research on the alarming extent of primates being traded on social media platforms in the United States.
• Momentive SoftwareminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 6 November 2025AZA was named a winner of Momentive Software's inaugural Bring on Better Awards, recognizing organizations that drive innovation and community impact.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2025USFWS partnered with AZA to launch the Wildlife Confiscations Network in Southern California, providing care and welfare for animals confiscated from illegal trade. Since its launch, the Network has assisted with over 135 wildlife trafficking cases and placed over 4,600 animals into quality care.
• California Department of Fish and WildlifecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2025CDFW formally partnered with AZA's Wildlife Confiscations Network to pilot a Wildlife Confiscations Coordinator position based at Oakland Zoo. The position streamlines the process for California law enforcement to find qualified facilities for trafficked animals.
• Oakland ZoocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 25 June 2025Oakland Zoo hosts the Wildlife Confiscations Coordinator position supporting AZA's Wildlife Confiscations Network in California. Oakland Zoo has responded to 15 requests from the Network, including cases involving marmosets, 60 venomous snakes, spider monkeys, and an 8-month-old tiger cub.
• Polar Bears InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolar Bears International is a Conservation Agreement partner with AZA, with Arctic Ambassador Centers designated among AZA member institutions.
• eBayminorGTM or Marketing PartnereBay partnership with AZA's Wildlife Trafficking Alliance to help reduce illegal wildlife trade through the platform.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Cooperative Agreement)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSFWS has a cooperative agreement with AZA as one of the Organizations With Cooperative Agreements With AZA, supporting wildlife conservation initiatives.
• World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWAZA is a related professional association and global alliance dedicated to care and conservation of animals and habitats. AZA works with WAZA on international standards and initiatives.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): IUCN sets global conservation standards, runs the Red List, and convenes governments and NGOs on species protection, overlapping with AZA's conservation mission but operating at a much broader geographic and policy scale.
• Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS): WCS operates the Bronx Zoo and other AZA-accredited facilities while running global field conservation programs, making it both an AZA member and a broader conservation incumbent that competes for donor and grant dollars.

Direct peers

• American Alliance of Museums (AAM): AAM is the U.S. professional membership and accreditation body for museums, sharing AZA's nonprofit member-driven accreditation model, professional development programs, and advocacy focus on public-facing cultural institutions.
• Polar Bears International: Polar Bears International is a Conservation Agreement partner of AZA with designated Arctic Ambassador Centers across AZA members. Comparable as a conservation-focused organization building zoo-based partnerships and public engagement campaigns.
• Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI): BGCI is a global membership network coordinating conservation across botanical gardens, directly comparable in mission (plant conservation), membership model, and accreditation-style standards to AZA's zoological mandate.
• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW): IFAW co-published the AZA primate trade report and partners with AZA on wildlife trafficking initiatives, comparable as a wildlife advocacy and conservation nonprofit operating across policy, field, and member-engagement programs.
• World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA): WAZA is the global counterpart to AZA, accrediting and representing the world's leading zoos and aquariums through its own membership and standards framework. Directly comparable as a membership-based accreditation body for zoo and aquarium institutions.
• European Association of Zoos and Aquariums (EAZA): EAZA operates the European zoo and aquarium accreditation scheme (EAZA Membership) and runs EEPs (EAZA Ex situ Programmes), directly comparable to AZA's SSPs and accreditation standards but focused on Europe.

Emerging players

• American Association of Zoo Veterinarians (AAZV): AAZV is the professional veterinary association serving zoo and wildlife veterinarians, overlapping with AZA's animal welfare and population management remit but focused on the veterinary profession rather than facility accreditation.

Regional players

• Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia (ZAA): ZAA is the regional accreditation body for zoos and aquariums across Australia, New Zealand, and nearby regions, operating parallel accreditation, member services, and species management programs to AZA.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/zoos_aquariums
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/zooaquariumnetwork
• Facebookfacebook.com/AssociationOfZoosAndAquariums
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/association-of-zoos-and-aquariums
• Instagraminstagram.com/zoos_aquariums
• Pinterestpinterest.com/AZAanimals

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Association of Zoos & Aquariums