Appendix IV. 



REPORT ON THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK. 



Sib : I have the honor to present herewith a report of the operations of the 

 National Zoological Park for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1910. 



The appropriation for that year was $95,000, and the estimated amount for 

 current maintenance was $83,700.92, leaving but $11,293.0S from which to make 

 necessary repairs and extensions of buildings, improvements of roads and 

 grounds, and additions lo the collection. 



The largest sum expended for any one object was that of $5,291, for the trans- 

 portation of animals from Africa, a detailed account of which is appended 

 hereto. For the accommodation of these animals alterations and additions were 

 made to the buildings already in use. In the extension to the lion house a 

 number of small and comparatively slight cages were removed and six new and 

 larger ones, strong enough to hold lions and other large cats, were built in. 

 The antelope house was enlarged by an extension 50 by 50 feet, thus furnishing 

 ten additional stalls and a much needed new entrance. The building, although 

 very simple in construction, is now admirably adapted for accommodating visit- 

 ors, having three entrances with convenient approaches. The new stalls or 

 cages are provided with commodious yards, which were nearly completed at the 

 close of the fiscal year. 



The first work of the year was the construction of a suitable pool for sea 

 lions and seals, which was established in the wooded valley occupied by the 

 beaver. This pool is 47 by 96 feet, with a depth of 6 feet 3 inches. It has a 

 shelter house of stone, ample banks, and a level border, the whole inclosed with 

 an iron fence. 



Two watchman's houses were placed at the park entrance and a flag pole 

 was erected on the hill south of the lion house. 



This was all the new work that it was possible to execute from the limited 

 amount available. 



Minor improvements and repairs were made as follows: Concrete steps and 

 walk to the bird house; connecting the culvert in the beaver valley with Rock 

 Creek sewer ; painting flying cage ; surfacing gravel and cinder walks ; making 

 a serviceable road to the coal vault of the central heating plant. 



Much of this work it has been possible to carry on economically by the use of 

 stone from a quarry in the park and of sand and gravel from the creek. 



The following is a tabular statement of the cost of this work : 



Alterations to lion house $1, 100. 00 



Addition to antelope house, with approach 2,500.00 



Sea-lion pond, including stonework, concrete construction, fencing, 



grading, planting, and walk 2,025.00 



Two watch houses ($125 each) 250. 00 



Flag pole 100.00 



Steps and walk to bird house 110.00 



Culvert and connection 600.00 



Repainting flying cage 425.00 



Surfacing walks 600. 00 



Road to coal vault 125.00 



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