APPENDIX 7 

 REPOKT ON THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 



Sir: Transmitted herewith is a report on the operations of the 

 National Zoological Park for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1950. 



The value of the collection was enhanced by the acquisition of 

 specimens that have not hitherto been on exhibition or that are 

 rarities. As the Zoo is a combined educational, recreational, and 

 research institution, the addition of new kinds of animals is of marked 

 benefit. At the close of the year the personnel had been recruited to 

 almost its authorized strength, and the rate of personnel turn-over 

 had declined. Such good progress had been made in repair work 

 that the general condition is definitely better than it has been for 

 several years. 



The National Zoological Park continues to do its utmost to further 

 the expressed purpose of the Smithsonian Institution, "the increase 

 and diffusion of knowledge among men," by constantly rendering a 

 wide variety of 'services in addition to maintaining the exhibits. 

 Valuable opportunities for research are afforded students of biology, 

 particularly vertebrate zoology, as well as artists, photographers, and 

 writers, utilizing only methods of study that do not endanger the 

 welfare of the animals or of the public. Other services are answering 

 in person, and by phone, mail, and telegraph, questions regarding 

 animals and their care and transportation; furnishing information to 

 other zoos and private and public agencies regarding structures for 

 keeping and housing animals; cooperation with other agencies of the 

 Federal, State, and municipal governments in research work; and 

 preparation of articles for publication. 



THE EXHIBITS 



Specimens for exhibition are acquked by gift, deposit, purchase, 

 exchange, births, and hatchings and are removed by death, exchange, 

 or return of those on deposit. Although depositors are at liberty to 

 remove their specimens, many leave them permanently. 



As in any colony of living things, there is a steady turn-over, and 



so the exhibits are constantly changing. Thus, the inventory list of 



specimens in the collection on June 30 of each year does not show all 



the kinds of animals that were exhibited during the year; sometimes 



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