ZOO NEWS
Two Top-Notch Inspectors
Louisville Zoo Director John Walczak was recently
named one of three inspectors of the year by
the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA),
the accrediting agency of zoos and aquariums
in North America. Walczak was recognized
alongside his predecessor, previous Louisville Zoo
Director Dr. Bill Foster, now President and Chief Executive Offi cer of the
Birmingham Zoo in Alabama. This recognition is given to those who have
contributed to a large number of AZA inspections, ensuring consistency
and exceptional quality among accredited organizations. The inspector role
is critical to the integrity of the accreditation process. The Louisville Zoo is
truly fortunate in having such notable leadership over the past 28 years.
Having two of three recognized inspectors associated with Louisville’s
Zoo demonstrates a dedication to excellence in Louisville and to zoos and
aquariums nationwide.
Left to right: John Walczak,
Dr. Bill Foster & Asian elephant Punch
Digger and Riggs
the Warthog Pigs
A Paw-some Puma
There’s a new puma in town! Becca, a two-year-old female
puma, arrived from the Central Florida Zoo in January 2017.
Becca was rescued at three months old by the Washington
State Wildlife Commission after being separated from her
mother. She was found signifi cantly underweight along
with her sibling who, unfortunately, did not survive. Becca is
acclimating well to her comfortable new home. Visitors can see
Becca in the Cats of the Americas area near the MetaZoo. She
will be on exhibit daily unless otherwise noted at the exhibit.
Warthog twins Digger and Riggs are ready
to charm you in the Africa area. These two
young males are not quite a year old and
come from the Erie Zoo where they were
hand-reared. Both are very engaging and
especially enjoy being scratched by keepers
with a long-handled scrub brush. Watch the
energetic duo play and chase each other
around in the warthog exhibit across from
the Rhino area.
Inside your zoo
I am incredibly honored to be recognized as an Inspector of the Year by the AZA along with
former Director Dr. Bill Foster. AZA accreditation is the highest standard of certifi cation for
a zoo or aquarium, surpassing the requirements of federal, state and local government
regulations. There are approximately 2,800 animal exhibitors licensed by the United States
Department of Agriculture. As of September 2016, only 232 of these institutions are AZA-
accredited zoos and aquariums including your Louisville Zoo. Accreditation standards are extremely
rigorous so these institutions refl ect the best of the best and have to be re-accredited every fi ve years.
We hope you’ll cheer us on as we go up for accreditation again in 2018.
10 • Louisville Zoo Trunkline • Spring 2017