SECRETARY'S REPORT 



171 



bilized and released after measurements, one crippled bear was im- 

 mobilized and euthanized, and six were immobilized, placed in the 

 mobile culvert traps, and translocated to the extreme boundary of the 

 park. The drug used in these immobilization procedures was suc- 

 cinylcholine chloride; the estimated average immobilizing dose was 

 0.46 mg. per pound of estimated body weight, the average latent period 

 of the drug was 2 minutes, and the average recovery period was 15 

 minutes. No difSculties were encountered from overdosage, and the 

 animals usually showed very little reaction to the injection. Almost 

 all immobilizations were completely carried out from the main high- 

 way which runs through the park. This field work served to support 

 earlier theories that the bear (including all species) is the ideal subject 

 for immobilization with the drug succinylcholine chloride. The re- 

 gional director, National Park Service, commented on the project: 

 "The results and conclusions of these tests as reported indicate that 

 the method shows promise as a practicable means of capturing dan- 

 gerous or nuisance bears for relocation or other disposition." 



Following are the statistics for the mortality rates at the Zoo during 

 the past fiscal year and a table of comparison with the past 7 fiscal 

 years : 



' Reasons Include preserving of Intact specimen for Museum and research, progressed decomposition , 

 insufficient remains in case of predators, et al. 



2 No figures available. 



8 Internal diseases include acute and chronic diseases of lung, liver, kidney, and heart, and intestinal 

 ailments other than parasite involvement, as well as CNS disorders. 



* Infectious diseases include TB, vlremia, toxoplasmosis, coccidiosis, et al. 



The only fossa {Cryptoprocta ferox) in the United States, as far 

 as was known, died on January 6, 1962. This largest of the Malagasy 

 carnivores was acquired from Ivan T. Sanderson on October 6, 1954, 

 as a fully adult specimen and showed obvious signs of senility during 

 his last years at the Zoo. Post-mortem findings indicated no specific 

 disease but rather a general physical deterioration due to old age. 



