APPENDIX 7 

 Report 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, 1953. 



This year showed a considerable increase over last in accessions to 

 the Zoo. In all, 810 accessions, comprising 1,797 individual animals, 

 were added to the collection during the year by gifts, deposits, pur- 

 chases, exchanges, births, and hatchings. Among these were many rare 

 specimens never before shown in this Zoo. The addition of new kinds 

 of animals enhances the value of the collection, which is maintained 

 not only for exhibition but also for research and education, thus foster- 

 ing the Smithsonian's established purpose of "the increase and diffu- 

 sion of knowledge." Opportunities for research are afforded students 

 of biology, particularly vertebrate zoology, as well as artists, pho- 

 tographers, and writers. Methods of study that do not endanger the 

 welfare of animals or the safety of the public are encouraged. 



Services of the staff included answering in person or by phone, 

 mail, or telegraph questions regarding animals and their care and 

 transportation; furnishing to other zoos and other agencies, public 

 and private, information regarding structures for housing animals; 

 cooperating with other agencies of Federal, State, and municipal 

 governments in research work; and preparing manuscripts for 

 publication. 



The stone restaurant building, which was constructed in the Park 

 in 1940, is leased at $46,212 a year. This money is deposited in the 

 United States Treasury. The concessionaire serves meals and light 

 refreshments and sells souvenirs. 



THE EXHIBITS 



Animals for exhibition are acquired by gift, deposit, purchase, 

 exchange, birth, and hatching, 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 turnover, and 

 the exhibits are constantly changing. Thus, the inventory of speci- 

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

 kinds of animals that were exhibited during the year, for sometimes 

 creatures of outstanding interest at the time they were shown are no 

 longer in the collection at the time the inventory is made. 

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