Smithsonian’s National Zoo Director Dennis W. Kelly has been elected to serve on the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) Board of Directors. Kelly will be one of nine members on the Board, which works to promote AZA’s mission of dedication to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science and recreation.

The Zoo also celebrates the appointment of Don Moore, MPA, Ph.D., associate director of Animal Care Sciences, to the position of Chair of the AZA independent Accreditation Commission. Moore will lead a group that reviews written reports from trained zoo and aquarium peer-professionals, leads inspection teams through the inspection process, and interviews top institutional officials at formal hearings. The accreditation process takes into account all operations in areas such as animal care; veterinary programs; staff training; risk management; safety for visitors, staff, and animals; educational programs; conservation efforts; financial stability; visitor services; and other areas.

AZA requires zoos and aquariums to successfully complete the rigorous accreditation process every five years in order to be members of the Association. By meeting high accreditation standards, the National Zoo has demonstrated its leadership among the world’s zoos and aquariums.