APPENDIX 7 

 REPORT ON THE NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK 



Sir : 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, 1945: 



The Congress appropriated $334,651 for the operation of the Zoo for 

 the fiscal year. Of this amount, $296,277 was expended for all 

 purposes, including $35,562 for overtime pay of employees under the 

 legislative provision that put overtime into effect this year. This 

 leaves an unexpended balance of $38,374 subject to minor corrections 

 when a few outstanding bills are finally settled. The saving was 

 largely on salaries because of the impossibility of filling vacant 

 positions. 



During the war the Zoo has been able to accomplish its primary duty 

 of maintaining an exhibition collection of live animals, and to main- 

 tain it at as high a level as ever before in its history. Owing to short- 

 age of manpower, certain phases of the care of the Park were neces- 

 sarily neglected, and no special improvements were made. The 

 personnel has been fully occupied in maintaining and keeping in order 

 as far as possible the grounds and buildings. An attempt is being 

 made at the present time to increase the staff to prewar numbers. 



The United States Marshal's Office has continued to turn over to 

 the Zoo quantities of food condemned for some reason as unfit for 

 human consumption but satisfactory for consumption by certain 

 animals. The managers of some of the larger vegetable stores con- 

 tinue to put aside trimmings for the Zoo, which gives certain of the 

 animals a supply of fresh vegetables and reduces considerably the cost 

 of maintenance. 



The Zoo officials have cooperated as far as possible with the various 

 Government agencies, including the War and Navy Departments, and 

 continue to supply facilities for art and biology classes and to furnish 

 information to the public. 



NEEDS OF THE ZOO 



The most immediate need of the Zoo is an increase of personnel. 

 During the war more than 20 percent of all positions have been vacant. 

 The actual care of the animals has not been neglected, but very little 

 work has been possible in connection with the care and maintenance 



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