Chahinkapa Zoo Responds to Loss of Accreditation

WAHPETON, N.D. (KFGO) – The board of directors of Chahinkapa Zoo will not appeal the loss of accreditation from an organization that accredits zoos.

The denial followed an inspection of the popular tourist attraction last June.

A summary of the report from Association of Zoos and Aquariums says inspectors did not find any major concerns. The report does say the zoo should be more proactive in consulting AZA care manuals. It also pointed to a pole barn where raptors live in the winter saying it was generally unkept and birds had poor access to natural light. There were no fire alarms in the nature center according to the inspection and many guest barrier gates did not have locks or chains.

Zoo Director Kathy Diekman says the inspection did not contain any concerns of animal health or welfare. Diekman says the zoo will remain open and work with the USDA and the state board of animal health.