46 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 Sta'tes. 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 for 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 



