Hong Kong's Ocean Park awarded elite membership

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 ◆ Hong Kong's Ocean Park awarded elite membership

Ocean Park Hong Kong said recently that it had been awarded a five-year accreditation by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA), becoming the first Asian animal facility included in this non-profit elite group.

The 25-year-old Ocean Park was granted the membership of the largest zoo and aquarium organization in the world last month, along with one zoo and two aquariums of the United States, increasing the number of AZA's members to 208.

Accreditation of zoos and aquariums became a mandatory requirement for membership in the AZA in 1980. In order to retain membership, zoos and aquariums undergo the complete accreditation process every five years.

The accreditation process includes an initial application and a two- or three-day inspection by a team of zoo and aquarium professionals, which will observe all aspects of facilities' operations.

To achieve this accreditation and membership, Ocean Park Hong Kong had to meet the highest standards of excellence in animal care, education and conservation, animal science, recreation, finance, safety and governance, said Ng Sau Kin, the park's assistant director in charge of zoological operations and education.