Smithsonian officials awarded the National Zoo its five-year accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on Monday, following almost five years of renovations to the park, according to ABC News.
Accreditation, tabled in 2003 due to a lack of funding and maintenance issues, was reestablished in 2004, ABC News reported.
After Smithsonian invested $100 million in renovations to the zoo and the Conservation and Research Center in Front Royal, Va., both parks now meet standards for veterinary programs, conservation, animal care, education and safety, according to ABC News.
-MAUREEN McCARTY
