Nov

Recognition for the Zoo and a gift for Libraries

November 1, 2013

Have you reached a milestone, received an award or conquered the world (at least your little corner of it) lately? Let us know at torch@si.edu. We want to toot your horn for you! Be sure to include your contact information and a picture as an attachment.

National Zoo

The Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park has been awarded a five-year accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The accreditation certifies that the National Zoo has met or exceeded the AZA’s standards for animal care, veterinary programs, conservation, education and safety.

In the past five years, the National Zoo has undergone more than $100 million in capital improvements at its Rock Creek Park facility in Washington, D.C., and at its 3,200-acre Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Va. Two major exhibits opened at the Rock Creek facility in the past year: American Trail and Elephant Trails, which was completed in March 2013 with the opening of the Elephant Community Center. In October 2012, SCBI and George Mason University formed the Smithsonian-Mason School of Conservation, an undergraduate and graduate program that provides expertise in conservation theory, field methods and the human dimensions of conservation. Improvements at the Small Mammal House, Think Tank and Reptile Discovery Center include exhibit updates and building maintenance.

Sara Hallagher hand feeds the Zoo’s 50th kori bustard chick. (Photo by Mehgan Murphy)

To receive accreditation, the National Zoo underwent a thorough investigation, submitting hundreds of pages of documents on zoo protocols, facilities, operations, finances and research activities as well as a four-day site inspection by leading zoo-industry experts. AZA inspectors review every aspect of a zoo’s operation—animal husbandry, veterinary programs, conservation and research programs, education programs, public outreach, safety policies and procedures, security, physical facilities, guest services and the quality of the institution’s staff. The inspectors also evaluated the Zoo’s finances, its governing authority and the relationship with its member organization, Friends of the National Zoo.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums also awarded Acting Curator of Birds Sara Hallager with three service awards at its recent national conference in Kansas City, Mo. Hallager received two awards for 20 years of service in the role of AZA studbook keeper for the kori bustard as well as 20 years of service as AZA studbook keeper for the buff-crested bustard. In 2010, the National Zoo was awarded the prestigious Edward H. Bean Award by AZA for its leadership role in the captive management and conservation of kori bustards. Hallager also received a service award for authoring two animal care manuals as well as initiating the development of an animal transport course.

Smithsonian Libraries

Dr. George Zug

In August, the Smithsonian Libraries received a $100,000 planned gift from Dr. George Zug, emeritus research zoologist with the National Museum of Natural History’s Division of Amphibians and Reptiles. Zug established The Zug Family Amphibian and Reptile Endowment in 2008, which expands the Libraries’ annual subscriptions of periodicals for
Smithsonian researchers and visitors in subjects such as biology, evolution, and systematics of amphibians and reptiles.

“Over my career at the Smithsonian, and especially during the past decade and a half, many new herpetological periodicals have appeared, but the inflationary shrinkage of the budget has prevented us from subscribing to these,” says Zug. His generous gift will help cultivate scholastic growth and opportunities to the Smithsonian research community for years to come.