Santa Ana Zoo regains accreditation as new monkey habitats near completion

The facility had lost its status in 2017 after panel found 'outdated' quarters for primates.

- BY GABRIEL SAN ROMÁN

CRESTED CAPUCHINS Mateo, left, and Dora at the Santa Ana Zoo in 2022.

(CHRISTINA HOUSE Los Angeles Times)

The Santa Ana Zoo at Prentice Park — known locally for its monkey exhibits and quirky history — has achieved a long-sought goal by once again becoming an accredited institution.

After a rigorous process, the zoo was one of 31 applicants accredited by the Assn. of Zoos and Aquariums this month during its annual conference held in Tampa, Fla.

"It’s been a long effort for many years," said Ethan Fisher, Santa Ana Zoo's director. "It’s a validation of the energy that we have put into the zoo. Having an external team of zoo professionals come and recognize that is really important to us."

The zoo, whose exhibits include two-toed sloths and the California king snake, lost its accredited status in 2017 after an independent Assn. of Zoos and Aquariums commission deemed monkey habitats on the grounds to be "outdated" and "inconsistent" with modern zoological practices.