40 SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. 66 
EXPEDITION TO SOUTH AFRICA FOR LIVING ANIMALS 
For some years past the National Zoological Park, in common 
with other similar institutions in the United States, has felt the 
effect of conditions that operated to hinder more and more the 
importation of wild animals from abroad and to reduce the supply. 
While various causes contributed to this, the regulations designed 
to prevent the introduction of infectious diseases of animals into 
the United States, have until very recently had most effect. Deer, 
antelopes, camels, and all other ruminants, also swine, have long 
been forbidden entry into the United States when coming from the 
continent of Europe; and for several years past a quarantine has 
been in effect much of the time against Great Britain because of 
outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease there. The same is true of 
South America; and the restrictions against Africa and Asia are 
only a little less stringent. With ruminants already almost unobtain- 
able, the outbreak of the European war cut off practically all of the 
established means of supply for other animals, as the business had 
been almost wholly in the hands of German dealers. 
That this situation was likely to bring serious trouble was soon 
realized by those having collections of living animals to maintain, 
and they began to take counsel together. At the suggestion of Dr. 
W. T. Hornaday, Director of the New York Zoological Park, a 
conference was held at the Philadelphia Zoological Garden to con- 
sider the question of sending a joint expedition, on behalf of the 
New York, Philadelphia, and National Zoological Parks, to South 
Africa for animals. From correspondence which Dr. Hornaday 
submitted at this conference it appeared that some desirable animals 
were then being offered at a South African port, and that a fairly 
good representation of the rich fauna of that region would be 
available if a reliable market were assured. A line of steamships 
had recently been put in operation between African ports and New 
York, so that direct shipment could be made. Altogether the con- 
ditions seemed reasonably favorable, and it was decided to send 
a man out to look the ground over, see what could be done in the 
way of arranging for a supply of animals for the future, and bring 
back anything desirable that could be secured at the time. As no 
one of the three institutions could spare a suitable man for this 
work, they engaged Mr. J. Alden Loring, who had been successful 
in bringing animals from Europe tor the New York Zoological Park, 
and had also had experience in Africa as a member of the Smith- 
sonian expedition to East Africa. 
Mr. Loring sailed from New York July 22, 1916, taking with 
him hay and grain enough to feed as many antelopes and other 
