Posted by:
EricWI
at Sun Aug 22 16:37:02 2010 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by EricWI ]
While not specifically related to reptiles, I can recall several fatal tiger and big cat maulings for instance that occurred at AZA "accredited" zoos and other facilities over the past decade or two. I also have little doubt that hot bites and crocodilian and large constrictor related incidents have also occurred at AZA facilities as well that may have not been as widely publicized. And not to mention their death rates of many various animals from improper husbandry.
So, it would seem that their track records are not entirely free of blemishes either. But yet AZA accredited facilities still want themselves exempted from bans and subsequently throw those of us in the private sector under the bus even in cases where we were not responsible for a given incident or in cases where we have a proven better track record regarding animal husbandry and protocols.
It should be remembered that the AZA is not a branch of the government. The AZA does not have any judicial powers to impose fines or penalties on any of its members or anyone else that violates any of the suggested "AZA standards". The AZA has no animals nor do they own or operate any zoo or aquarium of their own. Also the AZA holds no required USDA license to conduct any activity as defined under the Animal Welfare Act of the United States (the Act). The fact of the matter is that the AZA is essentially a glorified chamber of commerce that requires expensive filing fees and membership dues in order to receive "accreditation" status. Furthermore, this accreditation includes added buyer incentives such as exempting helps cut the red tape" and "exempts institutions from certain government requirements primarily at the state level (which is essentially a "get-away-with-anything card" .
With all of that said, could the motive be boiled down to MONEY? If you are not making enough, knock off your competition to get their share - it's that simple. Is it plausible that AZA facilities simply see non accredited facilities and those of us in the private sector simply as competition to be eliminated therefore giving AZA facilities elite status?
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RE: MA Press: The Great Snake Debate - EricWI, Sun Aug 22 16:37:02 2010