APPENDIX 7 

 REPORT ON THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 



SiK : I have the honor to submit the following report on the opera- 

 tions of the National Zoological Park for the fiscal year ended June 

 30, 1939 : 



The regular appropriation made by Congress for the maintenance 

 of the Park was $227,000, all of which was expended. 



IMPROVEMENTS 



Extensive and important improvements of a varied nature were 

 completed during the year. These were accomplished through close 

 cooperation with W. P. A. labor under excellent supervision. This 

 labor was available the entire year. 



The grading between the large mammal house and the refreshment 

 stand, begun in the last fiscal year, was completed. This includes a 

 stone retaining wall around the base of the hill. A stone feed house 

 100 feet long and 30 feet wide was constructed. It is a one-story 

 building with cellar arranged for storing vegetables and with ample 

 storage space for hay and grains. 



One of the largest of the jobs of the year was the grading and 

 excavating of approximately 80,000 cubic yards of earth at what had 

 been known as the buffalo hill. On this site one large buffalo pad- 

 dock has been completed. This is an enclosure 170 by 140 to 150 

 feet, with a shelter 81 by 20 feet. On this site are also being con- 

 structed four paddocks, of nearly equal size, covering an area 350 

 by 150 feet. These four paddocks are of the barless type with dry 

 moats separating visitors from the animals. For shelter on these 

 paddocks two buildings, one 20 by 40 feet, and the other 20 by 

 48 feet, have been constructed. This entire unit is about 95 percent 

 completed. A paddock 50 feet long and 30 feet wide has been added 

 to the wild horse and zebra group. 



A group of circular enclosures, making an exceptionally fine ex- 

 hibition place for raccoons, prairie dogs, and cavies, have been con- 

 structed between the small mammal house and the antelope building. 

 These are about 50 feet in diameter with concrete side walls of two 

 of them about 3 feet deep and the other, for prairie dogs, with side 

 walls in the ground about 10 feet and provision for bottom drainage. 



A reinforced concrete pool of irregular design, with a small water- 

 fall was completed back of the bird house. This is about 53 by 23 

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