122 AKNTJAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1956 



animals makes it necessary that practically all this kind of work be 

 done by the Zoo's own specially trained workmen, who must not only 

 perform mechanical work but must cooperate with the keeper force 

 and at all times exercise the utmost care that nothing is done that will 

 injure the animals, the public, or themselves. 



Because of inadequate funds, maintenance and repair work for the 

 year was limited to that which was most urgently needed. 



A new roof was put on the lion house, and new skylights were con- 

 structed and installed. Much of the material used in the skylights 

 had been salvaged, and some had been obtained as surplus from the 

 armed services reduction in stock. 



At the end of the fiscal year reroofing of the antelope building was 

 well under way. 



Two frame buildings used for emergency housing and as winter 

 quarters for some animals were given an outside sheathing as pro- 

 tection against the weather and to obtain some degree of added in- 

 sulation. 



Throughout the year, and particularly during the warm weather, 

 the entire heating plant is given a thorough overhauling to make cer- 

 tain that it is in first-class condition and to reduce to a minimum the 

 hazard of heating failure. This is an extensive job for the Zoo's 

 limited maintenance force. 



Ventilation systems and refrigeration plants for the penguins and 

 for the preservation of food are all watched carefully and maintained 

 in the best possible condition to prevent breakdown. 



Working at odd times between other urgent maintenance jobs, the 

 mechanical force has made a remarkable transformation at one end 

 of the monkey house. Eight old, small, poorly lighted cages were 

 removed and the platform on which they stood enclosed with glass 

 and wire fabric. Heavy tree limbs were added so that there is now 

 an excellent large indoor cage for miscellaneous monkeys. At the 

 close of the fiscal year there were 16 individuals in this cage getting 

 along nicely and providing outstanding entertainment, as well as 

 giving people an opportunity to study their movements and ways of 

 life in the wild. Living together in this manner is highly beneficial 

 to the monkeys as it stimulates much-needed exercise. 



No other major repair work could be attempted during the year. 



As pointed out in previous reports, the funds now available for 

 operating the Zoo are not adequate to keep pace with deterioration 

 of materials in the buildings and other structures that are now reach- 

 ing such an age that an increasing amount of repair work must be 

 done if they are to be kept in use. Six enclosures in the ravine above 

 the sea lions have had to be abandoned because of inability to keep 

 them in repair. 



