The City of Watertown announces that Bramble Park Zoo was denied accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). While this news is disappointing, the City remains committed to the continued care and well-being of the zoo’s animals. The zoo will continue to serve the community as we work to address facility improvements needed to regain accreditation.
"Animal care and well-being have always been a top priority for Bramble Park Zoo, and it will continue to be a top priority," said Stacy Plocher, Zoo Manager. "While this is not the news we wanted to receive, the dedicated staff at our zoo will continue taking the best care possible of all our animals. This is an opportunity to push ourselves and better our zoo together with the support of our community.”
Why Bramble Park Zoo was Denied Accreditation
The AZA’s decision to deny Bramble Park Zoo’s accreditation is primarily due to facility needs. While significant improvements have been made since the 2019 and 2020 inspections, AZA’s standards have evolved, and the facilities have not kept pace.
Specifically, some animal enclosures and holding areas no longer meet the updated expectations for size, complexity, and enrichment required by AZA. However, it’s important to note that the Bramble Park Zoo facilities continue to meet all USDA standards, ensuring that the animals are housed safely and in compliance with federal regulations.
What This Means for the Zoo
Bramble Park Zoo remains open to the public year-round. The denial of AZA accreditation does not affect the zoo’s ability to continue caring for its animals or engaging with the community through educational programs. The zoo’s participation in some AZA-related programs may be impacted, but the core mission of education, conservation, and community engagement remains strong.
Bramble Park Zoo’s Strengths and Commitment to Improvement
According to the official AZA Accreditation Narrative Report, Bramble Park Zoo meets and/or exceeds AZA standards in many key areas, especially animal well-being and care. The zoo’s enrichment and training programs have made significant improvements during this accreditation cycle and are helping to improve the overall well-being of the animals at the Zoo.
The AZA visiting committee specifically highlighted several achievements:
- Animal Well-being: The zoo has significantly improved its welfare assessments, reporting, and enrichment programs. The animals are healthy, well-cared for, and receive veterinary care that meets or exceeds AZA standards.
- Exhibits: Several animal enclosures are well-designed and spacious, particularly the bison, camel, and yak areas, which were praised for providing ample space for the animals.
- Education Programs: Bramble Park Zoo offers a diverse range of educational programs for all ages, including the popular Roots & Shoots program created by Jane Goodall and the Zoo Crew youth volunteer program, which has received positive feedback from participants.
Looking ahead, the City of Watertown’s Bramble Park Zoo staff are working on a plan to address the facility issues raised by AZA. An improvement plan will be presented to the Park Board for discussion, and a recommendation to the Council will be forthcoming. The city is committed to supporting the zoo and meeting modern standards that enhance visitors' experience.
Next Steps
Bramble Park Zoo will continue to serve the community while making the necessary improvements to regain accreditation and continue to provide the best care possible for the animals. We are confident that with community support and careful planning, the zoo will continue to be a point of pride for Watertown.
For more information, please follow the Bramble Park Zoo on Facebook.