APPENDIX 7 

 KEPORT ON THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 



SiK : I have the honor to submit the following report on the opera- 

 tions of the National Zoological Park for the fiscal year ended June 

 30, 1947. 



The regular appropriation for the operations of the Zoo was 

 $393,420. A supplemental appropriation of $39,100 for salary in- 

 creases authorized by Congress was also available, making a total of 

 $432,500. Subject to minor changes in final bills, a total of $425,748 

 was expended for all purposes and an unexpended balance of $6,752 

 remains. Inability to fill many of the positions for considerable 

 periods resulted in salary savings which were available to apply on 

 salary increases that had been authorized by Congress, thereby reduc- 

 ing the amount that was needed in the supplemental appropriation. 



During the war equipment had deteriorated and stocks of materials 

 and supplies had become seriously depleted in many instances. By 

 diligent search the Zoo has been able to replace or repair some of the 

 equipment and replenish some of the supplies and materials. The 

 close of the fiscal year finds the Zoo short as to many items, but as a 

 whole in a definitely better condition than prevailed a year ago as to 

 exhibition, animals, personnel, equipment, materials, supplies, and 

 general condition of structures and grounds. 



During the past year a slight improvement in the supply of animals 

 for exliibition has enabled the Zoo partially to replenish the stock. 



Physical improvements included the completion of 370 square yards 

 of sidewalk; surface treatment of nearly all the main roads, a sm.all 

 parking area opposite the large-mammal house, the road back of the 

 bird house, and the service road from the silver-gull cage to the bird 

 house. Excellent progress has been made in painting, which is a con- 

 tinuous operation in an establislmient of the size and type of the 

 National Zoological Park. The general appearance of the grounds 

 has been very materially improved by pruning, clearing of under- 

 brush, cutting down weeds, and renewing and mowing lawns, all of 

 which had been seriously neglected during the war period. During 

 the summer of 1946 excellent progress was made in fighting poison ivy 

 by spraying with ammonium sulfamate. This procedure was con- 

 tinued during the summer of 1947, and already a great reduction in 

 this pest is noticeable. The fight against iDoison ivy was greatly 



