In recent months, BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo experienced a number of back-to-back animal deaths that prompted questions about the welfare and care of the animals.
In light of recent animal deaths, which prompted a petition to close the facility, BR Zoo said that the Executive Director of Association of Zoos and Aquariums agreed to send an audit team to Baton Rouge to do a thorough review, per their request.
Carolyn McKnight, BREC Superintendent, and Phil Frost, BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo director, posted an open letter to the community on their website detailing their inspections processes and security measures, along with their request for an audit.
“We take our responsibility as caretakers of these animals very seriously and are committed to an open and transparent process. That said, this early visit will give us an opportunity to determine if there are areas we can strengthen now rather than waiting until later in the year when the official accreditation process begins.”, the letter said.
The letter goes on to say that the Baton Rouge Zoo undergoes surprise inspections from the USDA that inspects the welfare and daily care of the animals, as well as the facilities. Also, the zoo undergoes a year-long accreditation process through the AZA every five years that includes the inspection of animal care, welfare and management, veterinary care, conservation, education and interpretation, research, governing authority, staff, support organization, finance, physical facilities, safety security, and guest services.
Currently, the BR Zoo houses 650 animals, in which over 14 percent of the zoo’s 143 mammals are considered geriatric, according to the letter.
The open letter in its entirety can be found on BR Zoo’s website here.