Center priority is visitor, worker safety
The following is a Counterpoint:
By Glenn D. Dobrogosz
Please visit the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Web site and read the statement released by Jim Maddy, president and CEO. The following is an excerpt:
"AZA accreditation standards contain no specific dimensions for big cat enclosures. Our highly trained inspectors consider many factors when determining if an exhibit meets the standard. They look at the number, nature, and location of barriers; physical terrain; number, age and physical condition of the animals; and the scientifically known physical capabilities of the animals in the exhibit."
The Natural Science Center's new Animal Discovery project has been inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the AZA. Our institution will freely release these recent inspection results.
Both affirm our institution's high standards. USDA inspections are federally mandated, while AZA accreditation is completely voluntary with only 10 percent of the nation's USDA-licensed facilities meeting these rigorous standards.
The Science Center's AZA inspection results listed one major and 11 minor concerns, none of which contained anything to do with the tiger enclosure. In fact, the inspection went so well, our only major concern was to fix an $8 GFCI outlet.
With the outrigger, our tiger exhibit fence is 14 feet tall. Unlike a solid rock barrier, like the alleged escape route in San Francisco, our 9-gauge steel, plastic-coated fence does not provide structure or grip for these big cats. In addition, our professional keepers inspect the exhibit perimeter daily under a strict two-person protocol.
Visitor, animal and keeper safety, as well as meeting AZA standards, were the foundations on which we designed and built Animal Discovery.
The role of the Natural Science Center is to spark interest, inspire curiosity and instill knowledge about science, species conservation and the spectacular diversity of our natural world. We encourage and promote fun, safe and family-focused learning.
The writer is executive director, Natural Science Center of Greensboro.