Vaughan, Whitby & London, ON — November 15, 2025 — Reptilia Zoo & Education Centre is proud to announce that all three of its facilities—Vaughan, Whitby, and London—have officially achieved accreditation from Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA), marking a significant milestone in the organization’s commitment to excellence in animal care, conservation, education, and welfare.
CAZA accreditation is Canada’s highest professional standard for zoological institutions and is awarded only to facilities that demonstrate excellence across every aspect of their operation. The rigorous accreditation process evaluates animal welfare, veterinary care, nutrition, enrichment, conservation programs, education, safety, staff training, governance, and facility management.
Achieving accreditation across all three Reptilia locations reflects years of dedication from staff throughout the organization and reinforces Reptilia’s position as one of Canada’s leading reptile-focused zoological institutions.
“This achievement represents countless hours of hard work by every member of our team,” said Ryan Vince, General Manager of Reptilia Zoo & Education Centre. “CAZA accreditation is more than a designation—it is a commitment to continuous improvement and ensuring that every animal in our care receives the highest standard of welfare while inspiring conservation through education.”
Today, Reptilia cares for more than 1,000 animals representing over 250 species, with more than 75 percent of its collection consisting of rescued or surrendered animals. In addition to providing lifelong care for these animals, Reptilia supports conservation initiatives, scientific research, community outreach, animal welfare programs, and educational experiences that connect hundreds of thousands of guests with wildlife each year.
As a CAZA-accredited organization, Reptilia joins a network of Canada’s most respected zoological institutions committed to advancing conservation through collaboration, research, responsible population management, and public education. Accreditation also reflects Reptilia’s active participation in national initiatives, including conservation partnerships, species management programs, and the CAZA Biodiversity Biobank.
“This milestone belongs to our entire team,” Vince added. “From our animal care professionals and veterinary staff to our educators, guest services teams, maintenance staff, and volunteers, every department has played a role in building an organization that meets Canada’s highest zoological standards.”
While accreditation marks an important accomplishment, Reptilia views it as the beginning of an ongoing commitment. The organization will continue investing in animal welfare, conservation, research, staff development, and guest experiences while working alongside fellow CAZA institutions to protect wildlife both in Canada and around the world.
Reptilia extends its sincere gratitude to the CAZA Accreditation Commission for its guidance throughout the process and congratulates every member of the Reptilia team whose dedication and passion made this achievement possible.
