The Orlando Science Center has been granted accreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for meeting high standards of animal wellbeing, care and management.
The Loch Haven Park science museum received the designation earlier this month following a 2-year self-evaluation process and a meticulous on-site inspection by a team of zoological professionals. Typically awarded to zoos and aquariums, the AZA accreditation was something the science center sought when planning its animal- and ecosystem-focused “Life” exhibit, which opened in 2024.
“I’m so proud of our team. They worked so hard on this. People who do work with animals are so passionate and very caring,” said JoAnn Newman, OSC’s president and CEO. “We didn’t have to do this because we’re not a zoo or an aquarium. We wanted to do it, and we wanted to show our community and others that we’re going to hold ourselves accountable to these high standards. It’s our obligation to educate around conservation and animal welfare. We’re proud of it.”
Orlando Science Center is one of only 15 institutions accredited by both AZA and the American Alliance of Museums. The accreditation process involved inspecting all aspects of the center’s operation, including animal care and wellbeing, veterinary care, staff training, educational programs, conservation efforts, financial stability, risk management, governance and guest services.
Following the two-day site visit in June, science center leadership flew to Portland for a formal hearing with the AZA, where the institution was officially approved.
A burrowing owl eyes visitors inside the Swamp gallery in the “Life” exhibit at the Orlando Science Center. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
“Congratulations to the leadership and staff at Orlando Science Center for attaining the global gold standard in zoological and aquarium accreditation,” said Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the AZA. “AZA’s standards continuously evolve to reflect best practices in the zoo and aquarium profession, with a strong emphasis on animal care and wellbeing at their core. OSC has demonstrated a dedication to this exceptional level of care.”
Newman said the endorsement serves as confirmation that the museum is headed in the right direction and meeting high standards of quality.
“Izzy” the two-toed sloth gets a snack from caretakers inside the Rainforest gallery in the “Life” exhibit at the Orlando Science Center when the exhibit opened in 2024. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel)
“It’s a lot of work, it takes the whole staff. It’s so worth it. They’ve reviewed things and it makes us feel like, ‘Yes, we are on the right path and we’re doing things well,’” she said. “As we strive for high-quality, we get these third-party endorsements and accreditations that really show our community that we’re holding ourselves accountable to the highest standards we can find, and we do that so that the experience is great.”
The “Life” exhibit allows visitors to “explore our planet’s fragile ecosystems through the eyes of the animals who call them home,” Newman said. The $13.5 million investment was made possible through $10 million in Orange County tourist-tax revenue and a $3 million donation from science center trustee Dr. Sarah Layton.
Visitors can see 300 individual animals from 100 species in the exhibit, with five times as many animals now on public display at the science center than before the exhibit opened.
In 2024, Orlando Science Center opened “Life,” a set of exhibits built around habitats including rainforests, and the seas. (Courtesy Roberto Gonzalez)
The rainforest environment features free-flying birds, sloths and tamarins, while the swamp gallery showcases cypress trees, alligators, turtles and freshwater fish. In the ocean environment, visitors can see reef fish, sharks, coral, sea stars and crabs, including a touch tank area.
The exhibit is a nod to the science center’s focus on quality and more immersive experiences.
“As we create new spaces and exhibits, how can we make people feel truly transported somewhere or immersed?” Newman said. “I think ‘Life’ was a great example of where we really took that to heart. We want you to feel like you’re stepping into a rainforest when you go into the rainforest section.”
Other AZA-accredited facilities in the region include the Central Florida Zoo & Botanical Gardens in Sanford, SeaWorld Orlando and Discovery Cove, Disney’s Animal Kingdom and SEA LIFE Orlando Aquarium.
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