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os February 6, 1967
S$ bikends of the Atlanta (Georgia) Zoo sh
“art Tenald 2. Diehlein, National Zoological Park
Re,ort on Visit to Atlanta Zoo on January 28, 1967
n dganvary 28, 1967 the undersigned visited the Atlanta Zoo. Durin:
sonii cote leoked at the goo as typical visitors; in the afternoon,
ua
. vue eseoeted by the zoo foreman. Mr. Dilbeck showed us every courtesy
endows were impressed by his loyalty to the zoo.
“his report is divided into three parts: I. Physical Plant,
TI. Anivel Collection,-and ILI. Conclusion. —-
In years past, city zoos were established to exhibit a small collec-
tion of arimals, in other words, a menagerie. These menageries nad-no
tat ee ae Chae it
.
scucstional values or economical basis for existing. Many cities rcalized \
oc Gvewing power of animals and: began to build up their zoos for tourist
ecuvgactions, Other cities built up their zoos for educational programs,
“74h .2 the wealthier cities began to take interest in the conservation
voday, there is a tendency to combine these values, and in reality,
they oo. ylesent each other to the advantaze of the city. With this
yaillesopny in mind, this report is written.
“* DInreTOAT DTANm
Le PHYSICAL. PLANT
Tuc Unree major buildings of the Atlanta Zoo are outstanding. All
; were clean and well maintained. Some of the details need
» sucn as placing swinging bars in the center of the primate
wheat more of the cage
gait
herent
reworks
de
imp
jood Landscape
Se Briere hs
m T-
ale Mack
since
vhis
exiticize
S
Tne lack
side cases on the
February &, 1947
'
space can be utilized by the animals.
swal]. cat line are extremely small and
ed for better runs. The bear dens are very unattractive
roved by landscaping and painting.. The hoofed eninal
plan to provide shade and prevent crosion
z00 atimal spaces could be made more attractive.
of outside cages attached to the buildings is very noticc—
the buildings are already built, it is unnecessary to
disadvantage.
of informative signs is very disturbing, and the loss of
ecucational value is obvious,
\NTMAT
Piste i Ads
Osser
srvations:
COLIUSTION
should be
There are definitcly some animals that
om display, i.e. tailless Jaguar and Black Leopard. Some
s“orale
Cae teed de ah te OF
lisplay until their health problems are solved,
the spotted leopard.
.l z00 animals:
Feline House.
There seems to be a lack of purpose in the collection:
tigers, Pigtailed macaques, and chimpanzees; while absent
hippos, giraffes, and birds.
Rework collection so there is an array of animals
a
By removing all but one good breeding pair of
rs, there would be room for a pair each of cheetahs, serval,
cr. Cats, nyenas, etc.
February 8, 1967
'
(2) Primate House. Place Gibbons in the prosent Pigtailed macaques!
obtain a legal orangutan; thus all represontatives of the apes are
srescnt. Since the house is controlled environmentally, rare and unusual
specimens could be displayed.
(3) Reptile House. Considering the house has never been open. to the
sablic, the collection can be considered impressive. As far as it could
bc Cetermined, there are no tanks to display pies aquatic turtles, for
example, Hata mata and the African Soft shell; turtles are very popular
with the public.
We recomend that remodeling of the Reptile House be held in
abeyance until a director is appointed so that a professional can govern
its operation. To allow a lay curator carte blanche to reorganize and
remodel a new building is foolish. Professional curators, such as Roger
Conant of Philadelphia, Herndon Dowling of New York, or Earl Herald of
Francisco, would be pleased to survey the workings of the building and
gest ways and means to modify it at the least expense so it could be
the public.
Hoofed Animal Exhibit. These could be reworked to display
interesting species which would help conservation of threatened species.
43 it is now, the few donkeys, etc. is an extremely uninteresting exhibit.
(5) Children's Zoo. This was seen under winter conditions but it
as obvious that a better collection of animals could be obtained, i.e.
pigsny goats, llamas, and Fallow deer, Some of the wild babies that are
som at the zoo (lions, tigers, monkeys, bears) could be incorporated
February 8, 1967
t
reach an até when it is no lenger safe to keep then in a
With a Little SHUEY 3 physically, this section Souila’
bo improved for a closer association : between the children and thio animals.
Since the zoo does not exhibit birds, a whole zoological civi-
sion is wissins. Even without a birdhouse, a good collection cold be
birds mixed with the hoofed stock, parrots on outside
jays in the green houses with the alligators, and semi-tropical
all outdoor cages.
(7) Improvement is needed in the cooperation between the zoo and
cducational system that controls the science room in the Primate louse.
members could conduct tours, give free lectures, and take animals
the local schools. There is an maa list of ways to promote more
zoo is lacking in imagination. An example of how animals could
into the present physical setup to make it more attractive is
y adding macaws to the planted areas of the Primate House, and small
nes would do very weli in the waterfall. areas of the Feline House.
ves the impression of always being indoors. Relatively
“axpensive cutside cages could be built to house the common monkeys and
crall marmals. Landscape walks across from the bears could pass through
MALDLD area.
< aid paddock fences could enclose an unused area for hoofed stock.
tne advantage of the southern weather, outside plants and animals
Sa. February 6, 1967
'
van le A
Aa
ke the overall appearance of the 200 more delightful.
avon though the zoo is limited in tota] acreare, there are many
that could be made to give a feeling of larscness.
the Atlanta Zoo has a vast potential; with the correct guidance
San ales
ena vacking of the society and city, the zoo could be a valuable asset to
ao
J. to 3
the community = both as a cultural and seventionl center,
SS Q . Ai
DO. KH re
t. Dietlein
Avnetrong
LDL: et. MeL eahlin
W. A. XNanten
National Zoological Park
Washington, D.C.