SECRETARY'S REPORT 177 



The safety manuals for the animal, gromids, and maintenance de- 

 partments are printed and in effect. The j)olice safety manual is in 

 press. Each employee is issued a copy of a safety manual and is re- 

 sponsible for carrying out the prescribed safety measures. 



The safety improvements program was continued during the year 

 with the cooperation of the District of Columbia Department of Build- 

 ings and Grounds. The hazardous unbroken flight of steps from 

 the main bear line to the seal pool was removed and other access pro- 

 vided under this program. The roofs on both wings of the reptile 

 house were replaced and roof ventilators were installed to correct the 

 poor air circulation in the visitor area. Also included m the program 

 was the replacement of 890 square yards of walkway pavement, 5,431 

 lineal feet of fencing, and handrails on all steps throughout the Park 

 having three or more risers. 



Among the miscellaneous safeguards installed during the year were 

 a blinker stoplight at the small door to the reptile house basement; 

 lanterns provided to the shop to mark excavations in progress ; rein- 

 forcement of the guard railing outside the elephant house ; new sum- 

 mer and winter doors for the front of the lion house; exit lights in 

 the small mammal building, reptile house, and monkey house. New 

 traffic signs were put up, and all traffic and crosswalk lines were 

 repainted. 



MAINTENANCE, CONSTRUCTION, AND GROUNDS 



The work of the maintenance and construction department varied 

 from picking up and disposing of the ever-increasing amount of refuse 

 and trash to major construction necessary in maintaining the existmg 

 buildings and grounds and providing new shelters and enclosures for 

 the animals exhibited. 



The giraffe cage, both inside and out, at the elephant house, was 

 completely rebuilt for the Masai giraffes received on September 30, 

 1961. Ironwork in the cage and partitions was redesigned so as to 

 eliminate all wood, a possible source of contamination ; the ground in 

 the outside cage was removed to a depth of 6 inches and replaced; 

 inside and outside cages were steam cleaned and sterilized prior to 

 repainting. 



Reconstruction of the main bear Ime, started in 1960, was continued 

 during the summer of 1961. Two new partition w^alls were built, 

 designed to conform with those built during the previous years except 

 that pneumatically-placed concrete was used in lieu of poured-in-place 

 concrete, with resulting savings in time, labor, and material. Five 

 pools were repaired, the largest of which was practically rebuilt, again 

 using sprayed or gunned rather than poured concrete. The wooden 

 beds in all dens were replaced. 



