Photo credit: Sharon Gekoski-Kimmel, Philadelphia Inquirer
On Wednesday, September 19 at the 83rd annual AZA conference, the Philadelphia Zoo won the Exhibit of the Year Award for Bank of America Big Cat Falls. The Exhibit of the Year Award is presented by the AZA to recognize excellence in animal display and exhibit design by an AZA member organization, for new exhibits that have opened in the previous 2 years. Criteria that the AZA's Honors and Awards Committee uses to select award winners include innovation in animal care, conservation impact including links to field conservation efforts, quality of signage and other interpretation, and guest satisfaction.
There were eleven other applicants for the award this year. We received the Top Honors in the category, with new exhibits at the National Zoo and the Houston Zoo also recognized with Significant Achievement awards.
Founded in 1924, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. Visiting a zoo or aquarium featuring the AZA logo is assurance that guests are supporting an institution dedicated to providing excellent care for animals and a better future for all living things. With its more than 200 accredited members, the AZA is a leader in global wildlife conservation. For more information, please visit www.aza.org.
The full press release is available in the Zoo's Press Release Archives.