Smithsonian National Zoo: An analysis

Smithsonian National Zoo: An In-depth Perspective of the nation's zoological park

The National Zoo is in Washington, D.C. and hailed as one of the nation's premier zoos. They are one of the four zoos that house giant pandas and hosts approximately 2.7 million visitors annually, making it the sixth most visited AZA facility in the United States.  Unknown to many visitors and guests, the zoo has gone under controversy for its poor methods, funding, and staff. Still, the zoo leads in many scientific research techniques and breeding programs. This post will attempt to analyze what the National Zoo is all about. Here is the good, the bad, and the future of the National Zoo.

 

The Good:

1. Free Admission

That's right, free. The zoo charges no admission to its millions of visitors as it is part of the Smithsonian Institution and receives funding from the government. This sends the message that the zoo is not interested in making a profit. However, this is a mixed blessing for the zoo as the zoo relies entirely on government funding to maintain its vast animal collection. If the government cuts the budget or shuts down the government, the zoo is relatively helpless.

 

2. Elephant Trails: A Campaign to Save Asian Elephants
 

Elephant Trails: A Campaign to Save Asian Elephants is a comprehensive breeding, education, and scientific research program. It is designed to help scientists care for elephants in zoos and save them in the wild. The zoo will house seven Asian elephants by the spring of 2014. The zoo spent $52 million on the renovation, committing the zoo to elephant conservation.

 

3. Giant Pandas

Considered to be the most profitable animals of all zoo exhibits, the giant pandas serve to draw crowds from around the country and the world. The zoo spends hundreds of thousands of dollars to help giant panda conservation and research. The zoo also contributed to the giant panda breeding program, in which a giant panda baby was born in 2013.

 

4. The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute

The National Zoo runs a non-public breeding and scientific research facility in Fort Worth, Virginia. The 3,200 acre complex is dedicated to breeding programs, reintroduction programs, and scientific research and observations. Some notable animals housed in the SCBI are clouded leopards, Eld's deer, red pandas, and tree kangaroos. The Institute has been very successful in its breeding programs and regularly helps breeding populations.

 

5. AZA accreditation

AZA stands for the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, the most prestigious zoo organization in America. AZA accreditation means that the zoo has met or exceeded the requirements of running a good zoo. Less than 10% of all facilities that hold animals are accredited by the AZA.

 

The Bad:

1. Unnecessary Deaths

The zoo has long been under controversy for unnecessary deaths of its animals. In July 2003, a predator managed to enter an exhibit and kill a bald eagle. Also in 2003, red pandas died after eating rat poison that had been buried in their yard by a pest control contractor. Two years later, a macaque was crushed by hydraulic doors by staff error. The zoo recently came under controversy again when a dama gazelle broke its neck, a pregnant kudu killed itself after a zebra attacked a keeper, and a red river hog died of infection. A Przewalski's horse colt also died at the SCBI in the last few months.

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2. Euthanized Animals

In January 2006, the National Zoo euthanized an Asian elephant named "Toni" after a long time suffering from arthritis and poor body condition. Animal rights groups leveled the accusation that inadequate care over her lifespan in captivity led to the conditions that ultimately led to her death. Only four days ago, a male cheetah was euthanized.

 

3. Provisional AZA accreditation

In 2009, the zoo was operating under provisional accreditation due to reports of inadequate animal care resulting in animal deaths. Errors in care, management and communications were found after a panel conducted an external investigation, including instances where veterinarians significantly altered legal medical records weeks and even years after events occurred. The zoo has since regained its AZA accreditation.

 

4. Budget Shortcomings

The zoo blames budget cuts for the inadequate care of animals. When the government shut down, the zoo was forced to close and staff worked without pay. The current director of the National Zoo told the press that recent issues with exotic animals had happened due to the zoo's resources being stretched too thin. The zoo complains that there is not enough staff or capital to fund the zoo's enormous collection or maintain the zoo. A zebra attacked a keeper in December 2013, with a vulture also escaping its enclosure. A clouded leopard also managed to escape. A wallaby that was forced to share its exhibit with two hornbills bloodied its nose in the process.

 

5. Resignation of Dr. Lucy Spelman

The director of the National Zoo, Lucy Spelman, resigned at the end of 2009. As a veterinarian, it was revealed that Spelman had treated several animals who had died. The source of information; however, was taken from a disgruntled former employee. The problems at the zoo, which coincided with Dr. Spelman's resignation, included facilities and budget shortcomings, although the animal care problems were prominently highlighted. Dr. Suzan Murray continues to serve as the zoo's head veterinarian. One other veterinarian featured frequently in the inadequate care of animals at the zoo also remains on staff, but the zoo has added a new head pathologist and has added other veterinarians.

 

Future of the zoo:

Under the Smithsonian Institution, the zoo will most likely continue to grow and thrive. The zoo will receive three new elephants from the Calgary zoo in the spring of 2014. A giant panda baby continues to push visitors through the open gate. Children laugh and play. Visitors marvel at the sea lions, watch in awe at the gorilla family, and smile at the newborn lion cubs. The zoo is still a subject of controversy, but working tremendously hard to regain an image of one of the best zoo's in the U.S.

 

Bryan's Notes: When I visited the zoo, I was awed of how big the zoo was. The raven exhibit that housed two ravens was as big as a house. The zoo covers 163 acres, giving plenty of space for each animals. The elephants have 1.9 acres of outdoor space. I was especially impressed with the Elephant Trails exhibit, but also fascinated by the Think Tank where they tested orangutan intelligence. My favorite part was the O-line, a system of towers and cables that allows the  orangutans to move between the two buildings. In talking to one of the zoo's staff members, I was shocked to hear that she had to volunteer for two years just to achieve her position (she worked as a gorilla keeper). And she would not be paid during the government shutdown (although she would continue to work). The zoo has worked hard to replace and maintain their staff and is working extra hard to bring the zoo back into a good spotlight. I do hope they can achieve it.