This interim report assesses issues related to animal management, husbandry, health, and care at the Smithsonian Institution's National Zoological Park. The report finds that there are shortcomings in care and management that are threatening the well-being of the animal collection and identifies the "most pressing" issues that should be addressed.

Contents

• THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES
• COMMITTEE ON THE REVIEW OF THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION'S NATIONAL ZOOLOGICAL PARK
• BOARD ON AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES
• INSTITUTE FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL RESEARCH COUNCIL
• Preface
• Acknowledgments
• Executive Summary
• 1. Introduction and Background
  • PERSONNEL
  • NATIONAL ZOO GENERAL MEMORANDA AND BEST PRACTICES
  • THE ANIMAL COLLECTION
  • THE NATIONAL ZOO AS PART OF THE LARGER ZOOLOGICAL COMMUNITY
• 2. Animal Care and Management
  • ANIMAL PROGRAMS DEPARTMENT
  • VETERINARY CARE
  • ANIMAL NUTRITION
  • ANIMAL WELFARE
  • OVERARCHING ISSUES
• 3. Record Keeping
  • ELECTRONIC DATA MANAGEMENT IN ZOOLOGICAL INSTITUTIONS
  • RECORD KEEPING PRACTICES AT THE NATIONAL ZOO
  • STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES IN RECORD KEEPING AT THE NATIONAL ZOO
• 4. Pest Management
  • CONSIDERATIONS FOR INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT AT ZOOS
  • PEST MANAGEMENT AT THE NATIONAL ZOO
  • STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES IN PEST MANAGEMENT AT THE NATIONAL ZOO
• 5. Mission and Strategic Planning
  • STRATEGIC PLANNING AT THE NATIONAL ZOO
  • STRENGTHS AND WEAKNESSES IN STRATEGIC PLANNING AT THE NATIONAL ZOO
• References
• National Zoo Documents
• APPENDIX A
• APPENDIX B
• APPENDIX C
• APPENDIX D
• APPENDIX E
• APPENDIX F
• ABOUT THE AUTHORS
• BOARD ON AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES PUBLICATIONS
• INSTITUTE FOR LABORATORY ANIMAL RESEARCH PUBLICATIONS

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.

This study was supported by Contract No. F0336CC10376 between the National Academy of Sciences and the Smithsonian Institution. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project. The content of this publication does not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Smithsonian Institution, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the U.S. Government.