Tracy Aviary receives accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums
The oldest and largest freestanding aviary in the US meets rigorous standards for animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education and safety
Salt Lake City, UT (19 September 2014) – The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) has again granted accreditation to Tracy Aviary, the oldest and largest freestanding aviary in the United States. The popular aviary situated in Liberty Park in Salt Lake City, has evolved dramatically since its last AZA accreditation in 2009. The addition of many new exhibits including this summer’s King Vultures and Macaws exhibit, and the always popular King of the Andes exhibit, add to numerous opportunities for guests to enjoy intimate encounters that support the organization’s education and conservation goals.
Expectations and standards continuously change in the zoo industry, compelling accredited institutions to constantly improve. In addition to building new exhibits, Tracy Aviary has also emphasized creating an enjoyable and memorable guest experience with landscapes that encourage exploration and “get close” experiences that allow visitors to see eye-to-eye with many of the feathered collection.
"It's important to acknowledge that accreditation represents the highest standards in the zoo and aquarium industry,” said Tracy Aviary Executive Director Tim Brown. “Tracy Aviary could not have accomplished accreditation without the support of our members, our donors, our partners, and the public. Tracy Aviary's success is built upon providing the public with a valuable service, and in turn, receiving invaluable support from the public."
AZA President and CEO Jim Maddy concurs, “The community should take great pride in knowing that Tracy Aviary is a proven leader in the care and conservation of wildlife, in deepening families’ connection to nature, and building the next generation of conservationists.”
Over the past five years Tracy Aviary has added newly constructed exhibit spaces for king vultures, three species of macaws, turkey vultures, hawks, seven species of native North American owls, rare and endangered birds from around the world, and myriad tropical birds in the South American Pavilion. The improvements have added immensely to the guest experience and helped Tracy Aviary’s staff provide the highest quality care to the birds. King of the Andes, a new-build exhibit for Tracy Aviary’s 55-year old Andean Condor, “Andy”, replaced a 75-year old chain link structure and now allows Liberty Park visitors to watch Andy sunbathing and showing off his 10-and-a-half-foot wingspan. A new Bird Show Theater allows for Tracy Aviary’s Bird Programs department to put on engaging programs that further their mission of inspiring curiosity and caring for birds and nature through education and conservation.
“In the last five years we’ve created an entirely new Tracy Aviary experience,” said Tracy Aviary Deputy Director Scott Lyttle. “We want to invite people who haven’t been here in ten or twenty years to come in and experience our amazing eight acre oasis in Liberty Park. AZA’s accreditation shows that we’ve grown by leaps and bounds and that we’re meeting the highest standards to make the experience for guests, and for the birds who call Tracy Aviary home, the absolute best possible. We are open 363 days a year!”
Tracy Aviary is hosting its inaugural Funky Feather Run, a 3K and 7K for kids and adults, on Saturday, September 27th. Join us for a fun race through Liberty Park and Tracy Aviary, with activities following the race, crazy costumes, and prizes galore. Click here to learn more.
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Please contact Lindsay Hooker at Tracy Aviary at 801-596-8500x111 or lindsayh@tracyaviary.org for additional information about the facility, including special events and activities for visitors and its ongoing commitment to wildlife conservation and science education.
