SECRETARY'S REPORT 117 



in research journals coucerniug the pathologic data obtained from the examina- 

 tion of the Zoo animals. 



Special acknowledgment is due to the United States Dispatch Agent 

 in New York City, Howard Fyfe, an officer of the State Department, 

 who has frequently been called upon to clear shipments of animals 

 coming from abroad. This he has done, often at great personal in- 

 convenience, and the animals have been forwarded to Washington 

 without the loss of a single specimen. 



NEEDS OF THE ZOO 



Replacement of antiquated structures that have long since ceased 

 to be suitable for the purposes for which they are used is still the prin- 

 cipal need of the Zoo. The more urgently needed are : 



A building, to be situated in a central location, to have toilet facili- 

 ties, a jfirst-aid room, police headquarters, and, incidentally, with 

 basement space for a gardener's headquarters and storage for the 

 gardener's supplies and small equipment. The few old, dilapidated 

 toilet facilities in the Park have not been adequate for many years 

 and are now in such a deplorable state from normal deterioration and 

 as a result of vandalism that it is difficult and unduly expensive to 

 keep them in a sanitary condition. 



A new administration building to replace the 148-year-old historic 

 landmark now in use as an office building but which is neither suitably 

 located nor well adapted for the purpose. 



A building to house antelopes and other medium-sized hoofed ani- 

 mals that require a heated building. 



A fireproof service building for receiving shipments of animals, 

 quarantining them, and caring for those in ill health or those that 

 cannot be placed on exhibition. 



A new ventilating system for the bird house. 



Lesser items of equipment that are needed are a vacuum pump for 

 more efficient and economical operation of the heating system in the 

 reptile house ; a band saw to replace one that is more than 40 years old ; 

 and an air compressor for general use about the Park. 



The enclosures and pools for beavers, otters, seals, and nutrias, in 

 the ravine, need to be reconstructed. Owing to lack of funds for 

 upkeep and consequent deterioration, this area has become unsightly 

 and inadequate for the proper care and exhibition of these animals. 



Experience with the young Indian elephants makes it appear prob- 

 able that it will be necessary to construct an elephant-proof fence 

 around the outdoor yard now occupied by these elephants. 



The job of cleaning up the grounds is a major undertaking. Using 

 all available manpower, it usually takes 5 to 10 days to pick up the 

 trash and restore the Park to a fair degree of presentability after 



