Letter to the editor: Pittsburgh Zoo's accreditation doesn't break lease

The editorial “Pittsburgh should OK zoo accreditation” (March 6, TribLIVE) supporting the Pittsburgh Zoo accreditation by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA) as not a lease violation is absolutely correct.

The condition that Pittsburgh Councilman Bruce Kraus argues as a lease violation is that the zoo broke the lease when it joined the ZAA for required accreditation since the lease originally identified the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) for such accreditation. Renters don’t break leases when the specified owner of their property changes, nor when a required business relationship in the lease is filled by another just as qualified.

The ZAA is recognized by those that operate zoos, as similarly and appropriately qualified as the AZA to grant the required accreditation. The Pittsburgh Zoo is also certified by a number of others in conservation and by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and in horticulture, veterinary and numerous other circles, many not identified in the original lease.

The Pittsburgh Zoo in its 27-year partnership with the city has brought millions of visitors to one of Pittsburgh’s most visited cultural attractions. The zoo has won numerous national and international awards and recognition for its rescue missions and outstanding exhibits. Its multi-million dollar animal care center and its veterinary staff give all animals at the zoo care equivalent to that of humans. Operation of the zoo is at no cost to the city.

Len Bach

Murrysville