Report on the National Zoological Park 



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

 tional Zoological Park for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1954. 



This year showed a considerable increase over last in accessions to 

 the Zoo. In all, 899 accessions, comprising 2,2.50 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 main- 

 tained not only for exhibition but also for research and education, thus 

 fostering the Smithsonian's established purpose of "the increase and 

 diffusion of knowledge." Opportunities for research are afforded 

 students of biology, particularly vertebrate zoology, as well as artists, 

 photographers, and writers. Methods of study that do not endanger 

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



In addition to the regular diversified duties of carrying on all the 

 operations of the Zoo, the 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 manu- 

 scripts 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 re- 

 freshments and sells souvenirs. 



THE EXHIBITS 



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

 change, birth, and hatching, and are removed by death, exchange, or 

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

 move 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. 



The United States National Museum is given first choice of all ani- 



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