SECRETARY'S REPORT 115 



Zoo had to reduce gi-eatly the use of temporary labor and also had to 

 leave vacant positions of personnel concerned with maintenance work. 



The installation of zone heat regulators in the small-mammal and 

 reptile houses was completed. These provide even and adequate dis- 

 tribution of heat, so necessary to the health and well-being of the 

 animals housed in these buildings. 



In addition to the daily work of cleaning cages, buildings, and 

 grounds and making minor repairs, the construction and maintenance 

 department is constantly engaged in making necessary improvements 

 for the proper care of the animals and the safety of visitors to the 

 Park. The following are some of the more important projects under- 

 taken during the year : 



In the bird house, glass was installed in the upper half of the fronts 

 of 34 cages to replace wire that had deteriorated. Nine cages outside 

 of the monkey house were extensively repaired and new partitions 

 between the cages installed. A 2,000-gallon water tank was installed 

 in the basement of the reptile house to supplement the 1,000-gallon 

 tank, which has never been adequate. Concrete floors were laid in 6 

 cages in the antelope building and in the 3 buildings housing the 

 zebras, wild horses, wild ass, and Scotch cattle. The series of cages 

 between the reptile house and the small-mammal house were given an 

 extensive overhauling, and five new cinder-block shelters for the ani- 

 mals were built, replacing the old wooden ones no longer usable. 

 Small concrete shelters were constructed in the American waterfowl 

 pond to replace the decaying wooden ones. The slope of the moat 

 back of the bears was faced with concrete to prevent erosion and the 

 resultant stoppage of the drain. 



The fight to eradicate poison ivy in the Zoo grounds is being con- 

 tinued. This plant pest has been almost completely eliminated in 

 those parts most frequented by the public, and control measures are 

 being extended to more remote sections to keep it from returning to 

 areas used by visitors. Otherwise the long-established policy of leav- 

 ing the woodlands undisturbed is being followed. 



Over a period of years there has been a gradual increase in the 

 amount of trimming of trees necessary along the roads, walks, and 

 paths, and in the exhibition area. Because of disease or age, some of 

 the trees are dying and must be cut down. Others must be trimmed 

 to remove dead or broken limbs which might fall and injure people 

 or animals, or damage automobiles or structures. 



Temporary policemen were employed this year to assist the regular 

 police during days of heaviest attendance or when the force was short- 

 handed. This has been a highly satisfactory arrangement and much 

 more economical than employing additional full-time policemen 

 when the permanent personnel now authorized is adequate for a large 

 proportion of the time. 



