Anyways, a few caught my fancy. I began following their doings more closely. One of these was the Erie Zoo. Since 2016, it has lost its AZA Accreditation. In the years since I started so has the Salisbury Zoo in Maryland; others like the Columbus Zoo in Ohio and the Pittsburgh Zoo lost and then regained their accreditation. Both Erie and Salisbury are in the process of regaining theirs. There are many reasons why a zoo or aquarium loses their status, it isn't always or even often a lack of animal care, though some aspects of the standards that the AZA requires can contribute. Bottom line for me, AZA is serious about holding members to rigorous, state-of-the-art standards.
Around the same time, the Erie Zoo launched a capital fundraising campaign called "Wide Open Spaces". It included an expansive new Giraffe habitat, a new habitat to bring Andean Bears to the Zoo and lots of other upgrades. The CEO at the time has been replaced. The New CEO has altered some of the uses of the funds, most notable is the taking the emphasis off of a new Giraffe habitat (that would return Giraffe to the zoo. In 2019, their remaining male Giraffe was transferred to another zoo in order to begin the transition process--as well as, recognize that the current habitat was below AZA standards and just needed to be replaced). The new focus is on creating a new animal welfare and veterinary clinic on site. A priority for meeting AZA standards is also securing a stronger steady stream of funding--which usually involves commitments from stakeholders like the state, the city, community philanthropic organizations, corporate sponsors, etc. Presently, up to 90% of the zoo's annual budget is met by attendance fees and individual donations. An unreliable and unsustainable model. Although the city of Erie covers the zoos utilities and insurance needs.
So you can see that prior to my visit, I have invested a lot of attention and curiosity into the Erie Zoo.
It is a medium/small zoo sitting on just 15 jam packed acres. That is mid-range sweet for a leisurely paced visit. On my Impact/Opportunity scale it is a lower-moderate Impact zoo for topography. Some moderate climbing, but maybe 20% of the total pathways. It is a moderate opportunity zoo for seeing animals. There are lots of species to see, and viewing is easy credited to strong habitat design. On my visit, several of the larger keynote species were not out: Amur Leopard, Amur Tiger, Southern White Rhinoceros for example. Others like the Lions, African Penguins, and Bornean Orangutans were. So it's a 50-50, ergo moderate rating. It was first open to the public in 1930, the same year that it's most iconic building was first built. Arriving around 2 pm on July 3rd on a perfectly sunny summer day temps in the low 90's, parking was easy--I literally had a spot directly In front of the entrance. Dozens of folks were there, but it wasn't crowded at all. A lovely experience.

Here is a closer view. The orange building on the right edge is the current historical 1930's small animal house.
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