BGuthrie Photos: DC -- Natl Zoological Park -- Signage: 125th Anniversary

DC -- Natl Zoological Park -- Signage: 125th Anniversary:

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Copyrights: All pictures were taken by amateur photographer Bruce Guthrie (me!) who retains copyright on them. Free for non-commercial use with attribution. See the [Creative Commons] definition of what this means. "Photos (c) Bruce Guthrie" is fine for attribution. (Commercial use folks including AI scrapers can of course contact me.) Feel free to use in publications and pages with attribution but you don't have permission to sell the photos themselves. A free copy of any printed publication using any photographs is requested. Descriptive text, if any, is from a mixture of sources, quite frequently from signs at the location or from official web sites; copyrights, if any, are retained by their original owners.

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[1] SIN125_190607_012.JPG	[2] SIN125_190607_017.JPG
[3] SIN125_190607_018.JPG	[4] SIN125_190607_021.JPG
[5] SIN125_190607_024.JPG	[6] SIN125_190607_028.JPG
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[17] SIN125_190607_068.JPG	[18] SIN125_190607_071.JPG
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[59] SIN125_190607_199.JPG	[60] SIN125_190607_205.JPG
[61] SIN125_190607_208.JPG	[62] SIN125_190607_211.JPG

Specific picture descriptions: Photos above with "i" icons next to the bracketed sequence numbers (e.g. "[1] ") are described as follows:
1. SIN125_190607_012.JPG: Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years Olmsted Walk: Evolved from carriageway to walkway, our main visitor path was named for Frederick Law Olmsted, the renowned landscape architect who designed the basic layout and flow of the Zoo. Olmsted's legacy is found in the green spaces, natural atmosphere and curves that create changing views with a focus on landscape, not architecture. In the late 1880s, Frederick Law Olmsted was approached by the Smithsonian to provide "preliminary counsel" for designing the National Zoo. Olmsted is said to have replied promptly and enthusiastically, saying the area selected for the Zoo was one of great natural beauty which he had known for 30 years and had hoped would be turned into a park.
2. SIN125_190607_017.JPG: Olmsted Walk: Evolved from carriageway to walkway, our main visitor path was named for Frederick Law Olmsted, the renowned landscape architect who designed the basic layout and flow of the Zoo. Olmsted's legacy is found in the green spaces, natural atmosphere and curves that create changing views with a focus on landscape, not architecture.
3. SIN125_190607_021.JPG: In the late 1880s, Frederick Law Olmsted was approached by the Smithsonian to provide "preliminary counsel" for designing the National Zoo. Olmsted is said to have replied promptly and enthusiastically, saying the area selected for the Zoo was one of great natural beauty which he had known for 30 years and had hoped would be turned into a park.
4. SIN125_190607_024.JPG: Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years Easter Monday: For well over a century, the Monday following Easter has been an African American family celebration at the Zoo. Rich in culture and history, Easter Monday continues as a Washington tradition, with music, games, and family-focused activities. As early as 1906, Easter Monday drew crowds of up to 28,000 visitors for egg rolling on the Zoo's many hills. The Zoo continues the Easter Monday tradition today, with egg hunts and fun activities.
5. SIN125_190607_034.JPG: Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years How to Drink Coffee and Save Birds In the early 1990s, Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center (SMBC) scientists found that shade farms, where coffee is grown within forest-like settings, provide refuge for migratory and resident birds, in contrast to conventional open-sun coffee farms without shade trees. By 1998, to reward traditional coffee farming, SMBC developed the Bird-Friendly coffee certification. It is the only seal that ensures 100% organic shade-grown coffee. That's good for the birds, the farmers and the ecosystem!
6. SIN125_190607_049.JPG: Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years 1886: After witnessing the near extinction of bison, scientist William Hornaday works with the Smithsonian to create a national zoo. 1889: President Grover Cleveland signs a bill to establish the National Zoo for the purpose of saving animals from extinction. 1891: The National Zoo officially opens to the public. 1892: The Zoo's first permanent building is completed, housing almost all the animals. It later becomes the Lion House. 1937: The Zoo unveils a new Elephant House. Fully updated in 2013, it becomes to Elephant Community Center. 1939: The Zoo turns 50 as World War II breaks out in Europe. The Zoo does its part as keepers and other employees go to war. 1950: Rescued from a blaze, Smokey Bear becomes a living symbol of the United State's [sic] campaign to prevent forest fires and comes to live at the Zoo. 1958: Concerned Washingtonians form Friends of the National Zoo to raise funds for much-needed repairs. 1972: The Zoo pioneers a program to breed golden lion tamarins and reintroduce them to the rainforests of Brazil. 1972: First Lady Pat Nixon formally welcomes giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, gifts from the People's Republic of China. Panda mania ensues! 1973: The Zoo acquires 3,200 acres in Virginia to study and save rare species, known today as the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. 1988: The Zoo helps black-footed ferrets rebound from near extinction. Today more than 1,000 live in the wild. 1991: The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center opens and soars to international prominence for its research and conservation work. 1992: Komodo dragons hatch at the Zoo, for the first time ever outside Indonesia. 1999: Zoo researchers spearhead efforts to combat chytrid, a deadly fungus that threatens one-third of amphibian species. 2001: Kandula, a male Asian elephant, is born. His birth reflects Zoo scientists' growing understanding of elephant reproduction. 2005: Tai Shan is born. He becomes the first giant panda cub in Zoo history to live into adulthood. 2012: The Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation, a partnership between the Zoo and George Mason University, opens to the first class of students. 2013: Bao Bao is born. She is the Zoo's second healthy giant panda cub, and growing strong!
7. SIN125_190607_052.JPG: 1886: After witnessing the near extinction of bison, scientist William Hornaday works with the Smithsonian to create a national zoo. 1889: President Grover Cleveland signs a bill to establish the National Zoo for the purpose of saving animals from extinction. 1891: The National Zoo officially opens to the public.
8. SIN125_190607_055.JPG: 1892: The Zoo's first permanent building is completed, housing almost all the animals. It later becomes the Lion House. 1937: The Zoo unveils a new Elephant House. Fully updated in 2013, it becomes to Elephant Community Center. 1939: The Zoo turns 50 as World War II breaks out in Europe. The Zoo does its part as keepers and other employees go to war.
9. SIN125_190607_059.JPG: 1950: Rescued from a blaze, Smokey Bear becomes a living symbol of the United State's [sic] campaign to prevent forest fires and comes to live at the Zoo. 1958: Concerned Washingtonians form Friends of the National Zoo to raise funds for much-needed repairs.
10. SIN125_190607_062.JPG: 1972: The Zoo pioneers a program to breed golden lion tamarins and reintroduce them to the rainforests of Brazil. 1972: First Lady Pat Nixon formally welcomes giant pandas Ling-Ling and Hsing-Hsing, gifts from the People's Republic of China. Panda mania ensues!
11. SIN125_190607_065.JPG: 1973: The Zoo acquires 3,200 acres in Virginia to study and save rare species, known today as the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute. 1988: The Zoo helps black-footed ferrets rebound from near extinction. Today more than 1,000 live in the wild.
12. SIN125_190607_068.JPG: 1991: The Smithsonian Migratory Bird Center opens and soars to international prominence for its research and conservation work. 1992: Komodo dragons hatch at the Zoo, for the first time ever outside Indonesia. 1999: Zoo researchers spearhead efforts to combat chytrid, a deadly fungus that threatens one-third of amphibian species.
13. SIN125_190607_071.JPG: 2001: Kandula, a male Asian elephant, is born. His birth reflects Zoo scientists' growing understanding of elephant reproduction. 2005: Tai Shan is born. He becomes the first giant panda cub in Zoo history to live into adulthood. 2012: The Smithsonian Mason School of Conservation, a partnership between the Zoo and George Mason University, opens to the first class of students. 2013: Bao Bao is born. She is the Zoo's second healthy giant panda cub, and growing strong!
14. SIN125_190607_074.JPG: Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute: The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), previously established as the Conservation and Research Center in 1973, is a research and training leader in veterinary medicine, reproductive physiology and conservation biology. Once believed extinct, black-footed ferrets exist in the wild thanks to SCBI's breeding, training and release program.
15. SIN125_190607_082.JPG: Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years House Remodeling: Animal enclosures have changed over time, evolving from mere "housing" to more natural and enriching environments. The Zoo's 2013 renovation of the 1937 Elephant House to an Elephant Community Center makes room for indoor socializing and playing for our growing, multi-generational elephant herd. The Elephant Community Center (ECC) is a renovated and expanded Elephant House. Skylights open for fresh air, four feet of sand cushions the flooring, and a wading pool has an elephant-operated shower. "This building demonstrates our strong commitment to making sure that Asian elephants are here for future generations." -- Dennis Kelly, National Zoo Director
16. SIN125_190607_094.JPG: Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years The Scoop on Poop Since the early days of few resources, there's one thing the Zoo has never been short on -- animal waste. That's a good thing! Reproduction and stress hormones found in poop help scientists make important decisions about species' survival and well-being. The same hormones can be found in blood, saliva, urine and even hair. Poop has the advantage of being easy to collect with no distress to the animal. The Zoo also uses non-invasive techniques to analyze DNA from poop in the Genetics Laboratory. Zoo scientists studying these samples can learn an animal's sex, parasite load or territory size, all without ever touching or seeing the animal!
17. SIN125_190607_106.JPG: Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years Saving Species Through Science Our science came of age in the 1960s with the establishment of the Zoological Research Department to study animals in the field as well as in the Zoo. Our growth in knowledge has been exponential. Today our science-based husbandry paired with conservation research is saving wildlife from every continent. Discoveries about elephant herpes virus gets us closer to preventing deaths in young elephants around the world. Cryopreservation work, with procedures similar to human sperm banks, holds promise to keep animal tissue viable for hundreds of years, from corals to pandas. Identifying the deadly chytrid fungus began the fight against extinction for one-third of all frog species. Besides critical breeding successes, like giant panda, cheetah, Cuban crocodile and kiwi, the Zoo has made significant conservation science breakthroughs for endangered species.
18. SIN125_190607_123.JPG: Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years Olmsted Walk: Evolved from carriageway to walkway, our main visitor path was named for Frederick Law Olmsted, the renowned landscape architect who designed the basic layout and flow of the Zoo. Olmsted's legacy is found in the green spaces, natural atmosphere and curves that create changing views with a focus on landscape, not architecture. In the late 1880s, Frederick Law Olmsted was approached by the Smithsonian to provide "preliminary counsel" for designing the National Zoo. Olmsted is said to have replied promptly and enthusiastically, saying the area selected for the Zoo was one of great natural beauty which he had known for 30 years and had hoped would be turned into a park.
19. SIN125_190607_136.JPG: Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years It's Our 125th Birthday! The Zoo began 125 years ago out of a concern to save wildlife. The American bison was nearly extinct and other North American animals were threatened. Today, the Zoo cares for about 2,000 animals and saves species from all over the world. William T. Hornaday, Chief Taxidermist at the Smithsonian Institution, proposed the creation of a refuge for America's vanishing animals. President Cleveland signed a bill establishing the National Zoological Park on March 2, 1889 -- our birthday. Note the purpose of the new zoo: "for the advancement of science and the instruction and recreation of the people." These goals still guide us today.
20. SIN125_190607_147.JPG: Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years A Trail Transformed: As you walk downhill from here, glimpse through the woods on your right to see the Zoo's other main path, which is also a new exhibit highlight the magnificent wildlife diversity of North America. In 2012, the old Valley Trail became American Trail. American Trail was designed with sustainability in mind: ozone systems to clean pool water without harsh chemicals; automated controls to save water and reduce energy use; filters to keep water quality high and save thousands of gallons from going down the drain!
21. SIN125_190607_156.JPG: Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute: The Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute (SCBI), previously established as the Conservation and Research Center in 1973, is a research and training leader in veterinary medicine, reproductive physiology and conservation biology. SCBI breeding advances for the scimitar-horned oryx, a desert antelope, contribute to a conservation model to avert the species' extinction.
22. SIN125_190607_165.JPG: Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years Noisy by Nature Many residents living near the Zoo consider our Park to be a treasured retreat from the bustling city. While that is true, it is also true that some of our Zoo animals are just plain noisy neighbors! Dr. Mr. Secretary: I live one-half mile from the Smithsonian's National Zoological Park in Northwest Washington. Every morning and afternoon, I'm disturbed by a loud noise that sounds like Tarzan playing the bagpipes. It must be one of your animals. Does it have to make that noise? Is something wrong? Sincerely... You must be hearing the magnificent calls of our white-cheeked and siamang gibbons. A gibbon family advertises its territory each morning and afternoon with a loud duet... These "no trespassing" calls have to be loud enough to be heard by neighboring gibbon families. In the dense tropical rainforests of Asia, gibbon calls carry up to one kilometer (2/3 mile). The siamang gibbons have inflatable throat sacs which make their calls even louder. Thank you for your concern. It may be easier for you to live with the sound now that you know it is a sign that our gibbons are healthy and normal...
23. SIN125_190607_170.JPG: Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years The O-Line: In 1995, the Zoo debuted the O-Line, a series of towers and vine-like cables. It allows our orangutans to travel between the Great Ape House and Think Tank, if they choose to do so. Still innovative today, the O-Line is the only "orangutan transport system" of its kind.
24. SIN125_190607_178.JPG: Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years Lions and Tigers The Zoo's first permanent animal building was the Lion House. With three stone sides, the last side was hastily boarded up when construction money fell short. It stayed that way until the current exhibit was built in 1974. Our roomy replacement features large outdoor areas where lions and tigers can swim, run, play or just lie in the sun. Our recent baby boom of cubs at the Great Cats exhibit contributes to healthy, genetically diverse and self-sustaining lion and tiger populations in zoos across the country.
25. SIN125_190607_199.JPG: Smithsonian's National Zoo -- 125 Years It's Our 125th Birthday! The Zoo began 125 years ago out of a concern to save wildlife. The American bison was nearly extinct and other North American animals were threatened. Today, the Zoo cares for about 2,000 animals and saves species from all over the world. William T. Hornaday, Chief Taxidermist at the Smithsonian Institution, proposed the creation of a refuge for America's vanishing animals. President Cleveland signed a bill establishing the National Zoological Park on March 2, 1889 -- our birthday. Note the purpose of the new zoo: "for the advancement of science and the instruction and recreation of the people." These goals still guide us today.
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