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, 1952. 



There were 590 accessions, comprising 1,575 individual animals, 

 added to the collection during the year by gifts, deposits, purchases, 

 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 for research and education, thus fostering 

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

 of knowledge." Valuable opportunities for research are afforded 

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

 photographers, and writers. Only methods of study that do not 

 endanger the welfare of animals or the safety of the public are 

 permitted. 



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

 or telegraph questions regarding animals and their care and trans- 

 portation; furnishing to other zoos and other agencies, public and 

 private, information regarding structures for housing animals; co- 

 operating with other agencies of Federal, State, and municipal gov- 

 ernments in research work ; and preparing articles for publication. 



The stone restaurant building, which was constructed in the Park 

 in 1940, is leased at $23,052 a year. This money is deposited in the 

 general fund of 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, ex- 

 changes, births, and hatchings, 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 turn-over, and 

 so the exhibits are constantly changing. Thus, the inventory list 

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

 all the kinds of animals that were exhibited during the year; some- 

 times creatures of outstanding interest at the time they were shown 

 are no longer in the collection at the time the list is prepared. 

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