150 ANNUAL REPORT SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, 1957 



Many of the losses during the year were natural attrition due to 

 senility. During the war years the normal flow of animals was re- 

 duced, and since then political situations in many parts of the world 

 and animal disease conditions (necessitating expensive quarantine) 

 have made replacement of stock difficult. It is extremely gratifying 

 to the veterinarian that this year shows a decrease in the number of 

 deaths in comparison with the increase in total animal population 

 and number of species. 



COOPERATION 



At all times special efforts are made to maintain friendly contacts 

 with other Government and State agencies, private concerns and in- 

 dividuals, and scientific workers for mutual assistance. As a result the 

 Zoo receives much help and advice, and many valuable specimens, 

 and in turn it furnishes information and, whenever possible, speci- 

 mens it does not need. 



Special acknowledgment is due Howard Fyfe, United States Dis- 

 patch Agent in New York City. He is frequently called upon to 

 clear shipments of animals coming from abroad, often at great per- 

 sonal inconvenience. The animals have been forwarded to Washing- 

 ton without the loss of a single specimen. 



United States Marshal Carlton G. Beall turned over to the Zoo 

 800 pounds of whole eggs and 18 cases of crabmeat which had been 

 condemned by the court as unfit for human consumption but was fit 

 for animal feed. The poultry division of the Department of Agri- 

 culture gave several thousand day-old chicks, which are good food 

 for many young animals. The National Institutes of Health coop- 

 erated in many ways, helping with postmortems, giving valuable ad- 

 vice, and donating surplus laboratory animals, some of which were 

 exhibited and some used as food. Laboratory animals that had served 

 their purpose were also donated by the Army Medical Center and the 

 Navy Medical Center. 



The Fish and Wildlife Service donated a pair of whistling swans 

 and an eastern weasel, and placed on exhibition in the Zoo two mallard 

 ducks, named MacMallard and Susie, which they intend to use in 

 promotion work for wildlife conservation, much as "Smoky" the bear 

 has been used by the Forestry Service in fire prevention. 



In cooperation with Dr. Ray Erickson of the Fish and Wildlife 

 Service, Department of the Interior, Mr. Davis has worked on the 

 development of a brail for Canada geese. The purpose of this 

 project is to develop a brail that will prevent flying but at a later 

 date may be removed and permit the birds to have full use of their 



