Stories you might have missed from across Wisconsin. Milwaukee: County Zoo achieves AZA accreditation. The Milwaukee County zoo has once again achieved high honors for it’s standards of animal care. The zoo was reaccredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s (AZA) independent Accreditation Commission at this year’s annual conference. The accreditation means that the zoo maintains the world’s most rigorous standards of animal care. To get this distinction, an institution goes through a comprehensive peer-reviewed process every five years. The inspecting team looks at all aspects of the zoo’s operation including animal care and wellbeing, veterinary care, staff training, safety, educational and conservation efforts and more. County executive David Crowley released a statement of the zoo’s reaccreditation, saying in part: “The Milwaukee County Zoo is a cultural asset that the community can feel confident in supporting, particularly with this latest achievement in AZA accreditation. I commend all the Zoo staff for meeting, and exceeding, best practices in animal care, stewardship, and beyond.” The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the advancement of zoos and aquariums in the areas of conservation, animal welfare, education, science, and recreation. Full Story.