r/baylor • u/Pleasant_Air_3052 • 3d ago

University News Why Baylor University's live bear habitat just lost its zoo accreditation

https://www.chron.com/texas/article/baylor-bears-habitat-22476609.php

For five years, Baylor University's bear habitat held a distinction rarely seen on a college campus. This year, that changed.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) announced its fall 2026 accreditation decisions in late September, denying accreditation to three facilities: Baylor University's bear habitat, the Indianapolis Zoological Society and Wildlife Safari in Winston, Oregon. The AZA said the denials were due to "the rigor of AZA's standards and the accountability of its accreditation process."

22 Upvotes

82% Upvoted

15 comments sorted by

30

u/Father-Son-HolyGoat 3d ago

so, no explanation at all. generic.

15

u/Various_Respond_8212 3d ago

So this doesn’t explain it at all

26

u/peanutbuttercult 3d ago

The bears are well cared for but the habitat has gotten a bit dated. With all of the other facility improvements across campus, I’d love to see some real investment in the bear program.

20

u/bluenboone3 3d ago

The habitat is leveled. They’re redoing the sanctuary.

2

u/tcwillis79 Sic 'em! 3d ago

Bears can’t have accordions for any sustained amount of time. Dangerous fro the bears and candidly a bit of a distraction for the students

2

u/attaboy_stampy 2d ago

This doesn't explain the actual "why" any more than any other article, most of which are more detailed this one.

1

u/fatfatpokemons09 3d ago

Sooo where the bears be hanging out at these days?

-8

u/CoyoteHerder 3d ago

Thought it was because AZA requires some written DEI mandate. Which has jack shit to do with it

6

u/GustavusAdolphin '15 Sociology 2d ago

Source?

3

u/Father-Son-HolyGoat 2d ago

source: “trust me, bro”

-3

u/Surr-Furr 3d ago

I would like to be treated as well as these bears. They are cherished on campus. This sounds political, throw more money at them and I would bet they get accreditation.

-5

u/roaming_bear '13 - Economics 3d ago

You want to be put in a cage?

2

u/Surr-Furr 3d ago

Life is a cage. Do you have a job, pay bills. Don’t take it literal, they are treated well.

2

u/roaming_bear '13 - Economics 2d ago

Wow so deep. How do you explain their dementia?