However, in recent years, scientists have argued that cheetahs should be considered endangered instead, pointing to sizable losses in cheetah populations. The International Union for Conservation of Nature currently lists the cheetah as vulnerable to extinction.

Still, conservation groups tend to embrace the wider definition of “ big cats” that also includes snow leopards and cougars.Įven though their speed makes them fearsome hunters, cheetahs are the most vulnerable of the world’s big cats. Cheetahs can’t roar, though they can they purr. There’s some debate over whether cheetahs are “big cats.” Some scientists argue that the term only refers to cats that are capable of roaring: lions, tigers, jaguars, and leopards. These cats are nimble at high speeds, able to make quick and sudden turns in pursuit of prey. Wild cheetahs are thought to be able to reach speeds of nearly 70 miles an hour-although they can only sustain that speed for about 30 seconds. With acceleration that would leave most automobiles in the dust, a cheetah can go from zero to 60 miles an hour in only three seconds. The cheetah is the world's fastest land mammal. The Columbus Zoo had held their accreditation for 40 years prior to the denial.Current Population Trend: Decreasing What is the cheetah? The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium filed an appeal to the AZA for their decision to deny the zoo’s accreditation on Nov. “These changes were in place prior to the accreditation inspection and have been sustained since.” “The AZA first accredited the Columbus Zoo in 1980, and as a long-standing AZA organization, we are disappointed that the commission denied our accreditation after all of the positive changes that were made to meet AZA standards,” said interim Columbus Zoo President and CEO Jerry Borin in a written statement. General and Ohio Auditor of State are still in motion. Current investigations by the Ohio Attorney The mismanagement of financial resources was confirmed in March after audits initiated by the zoo’s board revealed “improper spending and questionable business practices by the former top two executives,” leading to more than $630,000 in losses.įormer President and CEO Tom Stalf and CFO Greg Bell voluntarily resigned after the audit was completed. The zoo announced in July that it had ended their relationships with animal vendors who do not meet certain standards of animal care. Photo courtesy of Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

Jack Hanna poses with Columbus Zoo and Aquarium staff and cheetah for public event. Jack Hanna’s family shared that the former Columbus Zoo director had been diagnosed with dementia back in April. The 2021 documentary film, “The Conservation Game,” alleged that Jack Hanna and the Columbus Zoo worked with backyard breeders and roadside zoos, violating AZA standards for years. While the AZA had expressed concern over “inappropriate financial management issues by former leadership” at the Columbus Zoo, the organization also said the Columbus Zoo’s repeated animal transfers with non-AZA members to supply baby animals for entertainment purposes were even “more substantial and concerning.” Accredited organizations must renew their accreditation every five years.

Their accreditation process is meant to ensure that zoo facilities are meeting industry standards for animal welfare and care, education, veterinary programs, safety and conservation. The AZA is recognized as the industry’s top accrediting body for zoos within the United States and a dozen other countries. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium lost its Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accreditation in early October.

Columbus zoo cheetah