About CAZA

Located throughout the state, California's zoos and aquariums are conservation leaders and significant components of its cultural resources.  The California Association of Zoos and Aquariums, known as CAZA consists of 20 voting members accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), a national organization founded in 1924. 

CAZA began in 1986 and was incorporated as a 501(c)6 non-profit organization in 1992.  Collectively, CAZA's member zoos and aquariums serve more than 500,000 member households and host more than 18 million visitors each year. Combined, CAZA institutions reflect a financial contribution of more than $2 billion annually to the State of California's economy.

In addition, CAZA's member zoos and aquariums use their facilities and resources to help educate nearly 1 million of California students, preschool through college, about conservation and biology.

California's zoos and aquarium community is a microcosm of the wildlife conservation, zoo, and aquarium network throughout the country - with each institution sharing its commitment to the principles and purposes of zoology.  The professional staff at CAZA institutions offers California a rich resource of expertise and experience in wildlife conservation, as well as environmental and animal management. Together they represent hundreds of years of working with wildlife populations: rare and endangered plants and animals - from small invertebrates to large mammals.

With a large focus on California’s unique biodiversity, CAZA institutions work with federal and state agencies to preserve more than 50 California native species and reintroducing them into the wild, in addition to wildlife with which they work to save around the world.

CAZA institutions also have a long history of working with our government partners on wildlife rescue, rehab and reintroduction.