Report misconduct or ask a question Speak up regarding actions or behaviors you believe are inconsistent with our Code. Report a wildlife welfare concern Speak up regarding concerns you may have about wildlife in our care. Call in Speak with a third-party specialist regarding your question or concern, who will send it to a member of SDZWA’s Ethics & Compliance team.

Can I report anonymously?

Yes. We prefer to know who you are so we can follow up if needed—but we’d rather you speak up anonymously than not at all. No identifying information (like your name or IP address) is shared with SDZWA unless you choose to provide it. Your confidentiality matters to us.

6 other things to know about the SDZWA Ethics Hotline:

What is the Ethics Hotline?

The Ethics Hotline is a confidential resource for SDZWA employees and partners to ask questions or report concerns about misconduct, wildlife welfare, or Code of Conduct violations. It promotes our culture of integrity and is not a customer service portal.

Who manages it?

The Ethics Hotline is managed by SDZWA’s Ethics & Compliance team. It is available 24/7 and operated through a secure website and call center hosted by NAVEX EthicsPoint, an independent third-party provider.

Who else can I speak to?

SDZWA encourages you to speak up through whichever channel you feel most comfortable—your manager, another leader, or functions like HR, Legal, or Ethics & Compliance. Your report helps protect us all.

What happens after I contact the Ethics Hotline?

After you submit a question or concern, you’ll receive a report key and password to check the status. A summary is sent to SDZWA’s Ethics & Compliance team who will review your report and determine if additional information is needed. They may contact you through the secure portal under “Follow Ups.” Concerns about wildlife welfare will be sent to our Wildlife Welfare Collective, a group of SDZWA wildlife care experts. Most hotline reviews and investigations are completed within 30–60 days, depending on complexity.

What is SDZWA’s stance on retaliation?

SDZWA does not tolerate retaliation against anyone who reports a concern or participates in an investigation. Retaliation is considered misconduct and is addressed in our Code of Conduct and Anti-Retaliation Policy. We are committed to providing a safe, healthy, and productive workplace for all team members and partners. Every report of retaliation is taken seriously.

Are reports to the Ethics Hotline secure and confidential?

Yes. SDZWA uses NAVEX EthicsPoint case management system to support our hotline. It is hosted on NAVEX’s secure servers and is completely separate from SDZWA’s intranet. This ensures that any report you make is kept confidential to the fullest extent possible, consistent with the law and good business practices. While we encourage you to include your name, you may also report anonymously.

Like a meerkat sentinel watching for danger and alerting its mob—your report to the Ethics Hotline helps protect us all. Speaking up takes courage, and it keeps our organization safe, strong, and thriving.