Association of Zoos and Aquariums

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), originally the American Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums (AAZPA), is an American 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1924 and dedicated to the advancement of zoos and public aquariums in the areas of conservation, education, science, and recreation. AZA is headquartered in Silver Spring, Maryland, and accredits zoos. There were 238 accredited zoos and aquariums as of 2025, primarily in the US, with a handful in twelve other countries; additionally, the AZA network contains 14 accredited related facilities.