& @ DIRECTOR'S OFFICE - NZP 
ArK 2 4062 
Pager National Geographic Sucivfeceveo__ 
CHAIRMAN 
ALEXANDER WETMORE 
VICE CHAIRMAN COMMITTEE FOR RESEARCH AND EXPLORATION 
MELVIN M. PAYNE 
ViCE CHAIRMAN WASHINGTON, he & 20036 
BARRY C. BISHOP 
SECRETARY 
March 29, 1968 
Dr. Theodore H. Reed 
National Zoological Park 
Washington, D. C. 20009 
Dear Dr. Reed: 
I am pleased to advise that the Society's Board of Trustees, acting upon a 
recommendation from its Committee for Research and Exploration, has authorized 
a grant of $20,000 in support of your field study and captive research on the "Bongo" 
Antelope. 
We require that all participants in projects sponsored in whole or in part by 
the Society execute literary and physical release forms. Copies are enclosed and 
you will note the one literary form to be signed by you as scientific leader. Your 
associates should sign the literary form labeled expedition members. 
The physical release form is to be signed by all participants. While legally 
speaking the Society has no responsibility for injury, illness, or death, we feel 
it very desirable to emphasize the possibility upon members of the group so that 
they can provide protection on a personal basis in the form of special insurance 
if they so desire. The literary release is designed among other things to insure 
that the Society has the opportunity to present the first popular account of the 
program to our members since it is their dues payments which make the grants 
possible. 
As you probably recall from the discussion when you presented your program 
to the Research Committee, our Editor has an active interest in the possibility of 
a story on this project for our official journal and he or one of his associates will 
be in touch with you on this point. 
Once we have received the signed release forms, we will be in a position 
to distribute the grant on request from you. 
May I say how delighted I am that the Society will be associated with the 
National Zoological Park in this extremely interesting and significant research 
program. We would appreciate it very much if you could keep us informed about 
progress in the field and--hopefully--follow-up research work here in the Zoo. 
