volume 5, number 4

July/August 1976

contents

3 Front Royal

8 ZooNews

13 Waterfowl

20 BookNews

22 FONZNews

Front Cover: Like a scene from the peaceable

kingdom, rare scimitar-horned oryxes from

Africa and flightless rheas from South

America are among the exotic animals now

roaming and breeding at the Zoo’s Conser-

vation and Research Center in Front Royal,

Virginia.

Back Cover: Fanning waterproofed wings for

takeoffs and landings, this Hawaiian duck is

so rare that less than 500 wild specimens

survive only on Kaui island.

Design-Production:

Monica Johansen Morgan

Photographs on page 10 by Smithsonian

Institution, all others by Francie Schroeder.

Drawings on page 20 by Philip Jones, cour-

tesy of Crown Publishers, Inc.

Friends

of

the

National

is a non-profit organization of individuals and

families who are interested in supporting Zoo

education, research, and conservation.

FONZ Board of Directors 1975-76

Arthur W. Arundel, President

Montgomery S. Bradley, First Vice President

John S. Brown, Second Vice President

Stephen T. Hosmer, Treasurer

Julie P. Hubbard, Secretary

Peter C. Andrews

Theodore Babbitt

Lavell Merritt

Robert Nelson

Edward Boehm Ruth Nelson

Victor Delano John B. Oliver

Timothy V.A. Dillon Nancy Porter

Ronald Field Whayne Quin

M. Anthony Gould Ted Rivinus

Joan L. Jewett Rebecca Schergens

Donna K. Grosvenor Lee Talbot

Nella Manes

Cecil McLelland

Shirley McNair

Sally Tongren

Gerald Wagner

FONZ Siaff

Sabin Robbins, Executive Director

Dennis Baker, Associate Director

Office Heads

Susan Trencher, Education & Volunteer

Services

Monica Morgan, Membership & Publications.

Mike Gill, Food Services

Claire Farnsworth, Merchandising

Renee Caldwell, Trains & Parking

Norma Gay, Accountant

As a FONZ, you and your family receive

many benefits—publications, discount privileges,

and invitations to specia! programs and activities

~to make your zoogoing more enjoyable and

educational.

THE ZOOGOER is published bi-monthly and

copyrighted © by Friends of the National Zoo,

c/o National Zoological Park, Washington, DC

20009, second class mailing permit approved at

the Washington, DC rate in the United States

$3 a year (of annual dues).

Zoo Staff

Dr. Theodore H. Reed, Director .

Mr. Edward Kohn, Deputy Director

Office Chiefs

Mr. Jaren Horsley, Animal Management

Dr. Christen Wemmer, Conservation &

Research Center

Dr. Mitchell Bush, Animal Health

Dr. Richard Montali, Pathology

Dr. John Eisenberg, Zoological Research

Mr. Emmanuel Petrella, Facilities Manage-

ment

Mr. Robert Engle, Construction Management

Mr. Joseph Reed, Management Services

Mr. Robert Mulcahy, Graphics & Exhibits

Ms. Judy White, Education & Information

Mr. Samuel Middleton, Police & Safety

“at's breed or go out of business,”

ee Director Ted Reed when

the National Zoo established its

breeding farm at Front Royal,

Virginia, in 1974. After two years,

breeding is booming at Front Royal!

Since last spring, 23 animals have

been born, most of them rare or en-

dangered species. Presently roaming

the 3,150-acre Conservation and Re-

search Center are herds of onagers,

the wild asses of Asia, Bactrian

camels, scimitar-horned oryxes,

Reeve’s muntjacs, zebras, and Pere

David’s deer, which survive only in

captivity. Most importantly, nearly all

species at Front Royal have success-

fully adapted and bred in captivity.

More rare animals are expected soon,

including a herd of wisent, or Euro-

pean bison, two pairs of golden mar-

mosets, Matschie’s tree kangaroos,

binturongs, and Bali mynahs.

In 1974 two male and four female

common gray rheas were brought to

Front Royal to see if they were hardy

enough to withstand winters in the

Blue Ridge. All survived the first year

except one killed by a bobcat. Last

April, 10 chicks were hatched by one

bird and 14 more were successfully

Previous Page: Kicking up its heels, this

high-spirited onager, or wild ass of Asia, is

part of a herd being studied and bred at Front

Royal. Characterized by long ears and a

coarse wiry mane, the onager serves as a

hardy pack animal in Mongolia and Tibet.

Exploring the grassy fields of Front Royal,

these common gray rhea chicks are among

the more than 20 that have hatched success-

fully since last Spring.

4

No longer surviving in the wild, the Pere David's deer, like those in the breeding herd at Front Royal, symbolize the vital role that zoos can play

as modern-day Noah’s arks.

reared by a second bird in May. Soon

a group of eight endangered Darwin’s

rheas acquired from the San Diego

Zoo will be released from quarantine,

so a second species of rhea will soon

inhabit the fields at Front Royal.

Sometimes unexpected problems

occur when trying to breed exotic

species. Last December, the Center

received a breeding loan of two male

and seven female Pere David’s deer

from the New York Zoological

Society to provide “new blood” for

the Front Royal herd. But the New

Yorkers were surprisingly tame com-

pared to the National Zoo herd, and

they waited patiently each morning

for the keepers to distribute pellets to

5

the food bins. By the time the Na-

tional Zoo animals got to the barn to

feed, the glutted New Yorkers had

emptied the food troughs! Separate

paddocks had to be built until the first

flush of grass in early spring.

Successful breeding depends heavily

on proper housing and paddocks. Re-

cently six buildings were converted

into first-class housing for small mam-

mals and birds. The old farm granary

was made into an animal commissary

with facilities and equipment for food

storage and preparation. Hoofstock

barns were winterized. Several miles

of fence created additional paddocks.

The Conference Center at Front Royal

has proved to be a popular site for sci-

entific gatherings. Four conferences

have been held in the last year inclu-

ding symposia on lizards, golden mar-

mosets, and tree-dwelling leaf-eaters.

As hoped, the National Zoo’s Conser-

vation and Research Center is living

up to its name by playing an increas-

ingly significant role as a modern-day

Noah’s ark.

by Dr. Christian Wemmer

Curator in Charge

NZP Conservation &

Research Center

Looking like a long-legged cross between dog

and fox, the maned wolf is one of three South

American canids being studied at Front

Royal along with crab-eating foxes and bush

dogs. Emphasis will be on comparative social

behavior, interaction, and communication.

Young animals, like this onager colt, typify

the baby boom that is making Front Royal

a center for breeding of endangered species.

Master Rockmaker

Prepares Bear Exhibits

Earthquakes, floods, fires . . . all have

been staged by the master counter-

feiter of them all—Hollywood.

So, the National Zoo has turned to

one of Hollywood's most gifted artists

to recreate realistic rock grottos for

the new bear exhibits, scheduled to

open in the spring of 1977. “Geolo-

gists can’t tell my rocks from the real

thing at a two-foot distance,” claims

creator Julian George.

Unlike movies, however, Zoo exhibits

must do more than mimic nature. The

structures must provide safe and sure

confinement to keep the bears in and

the people out. And they must meet

the special needs of the bears, appeal

to visitors, and be durable enough to

withstand decades of weather, con-

stant cleaning, and very strong, dig-

ging animals.

In the past, zoos have used sprayed

concrete, or gunite, to give a rock-

like appearance to exhibits. The

problem is that sprayed concrete has

a uniform appearance and none of

the details found in real rock forma-

tions. Gunite “rock” looks artificial.

A worker carefully joins two rock molds

which form part of the simulated cliff back-

drop for the new bear exhibits.

Like a giant jigsaw puzzle, each 5,000-pound piece of simulated stone is being precisely fit together so that the completed rock cliff will fool

even a geologist at close range.

On the other hand, Mr. George makes

rock grottos by carefully copying real

rocks. His technique sounds simple,

but it isn’t. It requires expert knowl-

edge in handling plastic, rubber, and

concrete, plus the creative talents of a

sculptor and a painter. Mr. George

begins by making thin, flexible plastic

impressions of actual rocks and cliffs

in the Washington area. Different

impressions are then joined and

plaster-of-Paris casts are made. They,

in turn, are used to form rubber and

plastic foam molds. Colors are care-

fully added to the inside surface of

the molds to match the natural rock

colors. Then about 5,000 pounds of

liquid concrete are poured into each

mold and allowed to set. The artifi-

cial rock is lifted by crane, fitted, and

bolted in place at the exhibit. Finally,

large cracks between the rocks are

filled with poured concrete to pro-

duce a very large, single rock face.

When these moated exhibits are com-

pleted, the bears will roam freely at

the base of sheer “stone” cliffs.

The result of Mr. George’s stonemak-

ing methods is so realistic that an

admiring Walt Disney once sent a

special team just to study them. From

the Zoo’s standpoint, Julian George’s

rocks are even better than the real

thing. They fit!

by Michael J. Morgan

Public Information Assistant

Beaver Valley Due

For Major Face-Lift

By early 1978, zoogoers will be able

to watch frolicking otters and sea

lions through underwater windows,

stroll by a woods full of wolves and

bush dogs, and marvel at beavers

actually building dams.

It’s all part of the next new exhibit —

the Beaver Valley project—due to

begin in a few months. The area to be

developed is across from and on

either side of the present cheetah

yards, which will remain as is except

for minor fence changes.

In keeping with the “natural look”

philosophy of the Master Plan, all

new buildings, exhibits, fencing, and

walkways will blend into the natural

landscapes. In addition to carefully

preserving existing trees, landscape

architect Lester Collins will reinforce

the informal, wooded atmosphere

with selected plantings.

Begining at the Rock Creek, or south,

end of Beaver Valley, a footpath will

lead visitors from the new grizzly bear

exhibit up to the California sea lion

pool. Here, several large underwater

windows will give zoogoers a special

look at the cavorting group of sea

lions. In addition, the 165-foot-long

pool will be large enough to accom-

modate breeding groups. Rocky

islands and a sand beach will be pro-

vided to encourage whelping and

“haul out” of pups. Julian George, the

artisan famed for his simulated rock

formations, will create the realistic

rock surroundings. Separate “holding”

pools will be available for animals

undergoing treatment.

Beavers at the zoo will be busy building dams and paddling in and out of their dens if all goes as planned at the innovative Beaver Valley exhibit

to begin soon.

Curved benches around one side of

the sea lion pool will give visitors a

“front row seat” for longer and more

relaxed watching of these fascinating

sea mammals.

Just above the sea lions will be an

island-studded pool for harbor seals.

Observation areas will let visitors view

these animals away from the main

walkway.

Wolves and bush dogs will ‘prowl the

woods across from the cheetahs. Un-

obtrusive curved moats and screened

fencing will separate the animals.

At the top of Beaver Valley, there will

be a colony of beavers on one side,

North American river otters on the

other. The beavers will have their own

pool along with material designed to

encourage them to build dams.

Visitors will be able to look through

windows into the actual den. The in-

terior den will be red lighted so that

the beavers will think it is dark and

private. An overview of the dam will

be provided by an off-path observa-

tion area.

The otter pool will have underwater

windows for an unusual view of these

playful creatures.

Architects for the Beaver Valley

Project are The Kent Cooper Partner-

ship. The complex is expected to take

about a year to complete.

by Norm Melum

Staff Architect

Zoo Photography:

Challenging and Fun

Sst, grrr, sssst. Oh, please, tiger, look

this way, cock your head, growl .. .

oh, please!

Trouble is, the tiger at the Zoo has

heard those strange human noises be-

fore. He has learned that, for him,

there is no danger or pleasure associ-

ated with them. He also feels that

there is nothing better than a shady

spot for a long midday nap.

If you want to take good wildlife pic-

tures at the National Zoological Park,

you will have to try methods other

than funny noises. You will have to

know something about your camera,

something about the Zoo, and some-

thing about the individual animals.

Zoo visitors use so many different

kinds of cameras that it is impossi-

ble to give specific technical advice

here. Just know your own equipment;

consider its possibilities and its limita-

tions. The simplest instamatic can

take great shots if the person pushing

the button LOOKS carefully first. Try

to keep architectural lines as straight

as possible; check the edges of your

viewfinder for a chopped off foot or

tail; include the subject’s eyes when-

ever possible.

Although the Zoo’s cheetahs are exhibited

behind heavy, chain-link fencing, the

photographer has used a long focal-length

lens to “dissolve” the barrier and create a

dramatic close-up.

The National Zoo has not always

been an easy place to take good pic-

tures. Now, however, fences and bars

are disappearing. Barriers between

the visitor and the animal are becom-

ing unobtrusive. You can get closer,

cleaner (meaning less background

and foreground clutter) shots than be-

fore. Although a long focal-length

lens is definitely an asset, picture

takers can often get close enough to

fill the whole picture with an animal

using anormal lens.

Exciting pictures are made of alert,

active animals. The most active

times are mornings when the large

animals first go into the yards, late

afternoon just before they go back

inside, and feeding times. Feeding

times vary tremendously. Birds may

nibble all day long, but some reptiles

eat only once or twice a week. Zoo

schedules vary with the seasons, so

you might check the zoo information

office for current schedules.

Cool air and falling leaves stimulate

many animals. Hoofed stock, which

appear to be sleeping or, at most,

swishing their tails all summer, kick

up their hoofs on fall mornings.

Winter is not a bad time for zoo

photography either. Imagine catching

the pandas frolicking in the snow! Any

time of day, any season, you can find

busy birds; try getting some in flight.

Sleepers rarely cause a stir. The hot

middle part of a summer day is the

poorest time for photography; it is a

time for rest.

There are advantages to photograph-

12

ing animals outdoors. You don’t have

the technical lighting problems and

glass spots and reflections you have

indoors. There is a lot of shade in the

Zoo. During the short days of the

year, the sun may drop below the

trees as early as 3:00 p.m. Choose a

film with a high ASA, such as Tri-X or

high speed ektachrome (Kodak is

about to market an even faster and

supposedly higher quality slide film).

There is such a wide range of light and

shade in the great flight cage that a

light meter, used frequently, is recom-

mended. You might want to use a

a strobe or flash in some outdoor

places.

It is difficult to avoid reflections

off glass when you are taking

pictures indoors. The more par-

allel the camera lens is to the

glass and the closer to it, the

fewer the reflections. Also, you can

decrease reflection by having a friend

hold a dark sweater or coat around

you and the camera. Water spots and

nose, paw, and finger prints are some-

thing you just have to watch out for

and avoid as much as possible.

Many bird enclosures have only piano

wires between you and the birds.

These wires will not show in your

photograph if you stay close to them

and keep the shutter open to a wide

aperture. Depending on your camera

and the lighting conditions, you may

be able to see the wires appear and

disappear in your viewfinder as you

move forward and backward. Take

the picture when the wires are not

visible.

The Zoo is a continual exciting photo-

graphic challenge to anyone—from

the professional to the amateur—

recording a happy family day. Each

animal has his unique personality and

expression for you to capture. But you

must always respect the physical bar-

riers between you and the animal.

Climbing a fence or railing to get a

closer shot can threaten the animal,

make him cower, put his ears back,

and move away.

Good pictures take patience, timing,

and luck. If you see an animal do

something great but miss the picture,

have patience because, with any luck,

he will do the same thing again. If you

study him as you wait, you will de-

velop a sense for his timing so you can

anticipate the best moment to snap

the shutter.

It has been a long hot day. That tiger

is ready to cool off after his nap and

before dinner. He opens his eyes,

stretches, sits up, and looks about for

any strangeness. Make sure your

camera is ready! Something shiny has

caught his eye. Splash! He’s attacked

the water. Did you get it?

by Francie Schroeder

Zoo Photographer

with your

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4

SHARE THE JOYS OF FONZ

WITH YOUR FRIENDS THIS

HOLIDAY SEASON.

Membership privileges and

programs in 1977 will be the

most exciting ever. There will be

member-only events to celebrate

the opening of new exhibits,

plus invitations to special classes,

films, lectures, trips, publica-

tions, discounts, and much,

much more.

Best of all FONZ helps to

save wild animals from extinc-

tion, supports public education

programs, sponsors animal re-

search and conservation, and im-

proves the National Zoo.

Make your. friends our

Friends by giving a FONZ mem-

bership. It’s a gift that both

helps and delights. And you’ll be

remembered and thanked for it

all year long.

(for additional gifts provide the

information at left)

Your 13¢ saves

us 15¢ FIRST CLASS

PERMIT NO. 71430

WASHINGTON, D.C.

‘BUSINESS REPLY MAIL

NO POSTAGE STAMP NECESSARY IF MAILED IN THE UNITED STATES

/e3@..) FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL ZOO

c/o National Zoological Park

Washington, D.C. 20009

N ow is the perfect time to enjoy

the new waterfowl ponds on Bird

House Hill. The swan’s song, the ugly

duckling, and the geese that guarded

Rome are part of our folklore, but

most zoogoers are not as familiar with

the fascinating facts about this group

of birds known as waterfowl.

Previous page: Named for its long, needle-

like tail, this northern pintail hen also has a

long neck that lets it feed on aquatic

vegetation and insects without upending like

most surface-feeding ducks. If an intruder

approaches, up shoots the neck to let the

bird scan the territory.

There is no difficulty recognizing

them. They are swimmers exquisitely

adapted for an aquatic environment.

Well-oiled feathers and an undercoat

of down keep them warm and dry.

Broad, webbed feet placed wide apart

produce the typical waddling gait.

The legs of diving ducks, such as

pochards and mergansers, are placed

so far back that the bird must stand

almost upright on land. Ruddy ducks

find walking so awkward that they

come ashore as little as possible. But

such broad feet and short legs are per-

fect for driving the birds swiftly

through or under water.

Broad, webbed feet enable the black swan of Australia to paddle effortlessly and swiftly on

ponds and lakes. A long neck allows it to forage plants growing along the bottom. To become

airborne, the big bird must race across the water 100 feet or so, its webbed feet kicking up a

plume of spray ten feet high.

The broad bills of ducks have numer-

Ous nerve endings enabling them to

feel under water for food. Most have

filters to strain food from the water.

This is especially so in shovelers,

whose broad spoonlike bills hide a

mass of hair-like lamellae. Mergansers

have toothed bills to hold slippery

fish. The swans’ long necks allow

them to feed on bottom plants.

Geese and swans are primarily vege-

tarian, but ducks enjoy a mixed diet

of insects, snails, and pond weeds. In

the Zoo, they eat commercial duck

food which contains all the nutrition

they need. This is always available to

them from the big cans at the side of

the ponds. They forage on their own

as well. If you wonder who trims the

grass at the ponds’ edges so neatly, it’s

the ducks. The feed cans also attract

a number of feathered free-loaders.

Pigeons by the dozens help them-

selves to the duck food, and wild mal-

lards fly in from Rock Creek for a free

meal. They should not be confused

with the Hawaiian ducks, a very rare

and endangered close relative.

A visitor may not see much active

feeding. Ducks spend a lot of time

preening. This is the process by which

the bird repairs and maintains its plu-

mage. Look at a feather closely. It is

the most highly evolved epidermal

structure known. The central shaft

bears a series of barbs, which in turn

lock together by minute hooks and

flanges. When these separate for any

reason, the bird can repair them by

running the feather through its bill or

smoothing the feather. In addition,

Bottoms up, heads down, and feet kicking for balance, an Australian grey teal and an Indian spotbill check out the Zoo’s new ponds for plants,

seeds, snails, and insects.

the birds spread oil from a gland

above the tail over the feathers,

waterproofing and conditioning them.

Ducks also like to loaf in the sun

or doze with the bill tucked under one

wing. Like many birds, ducks and

swans often rest on one leg with the

other tucked up.

Most waterfowl, relying on swimming

and diving for protection, molt their

flight feathers all at once. They are

then unable to fly for four to six

weeks. If most of the colorful ducks

seem to have vanished, it is because

the drakes are in what is known as

eclipse plumage, a dull basic color-

ing which resembles the hen’s usual

dress. This gives them added protec-

tion in the flightless period. The drake

molts about the same time that the

female begins to incubate her eggs.

He goes off to an isolated location to

join a bachelor flock. The hens molt

later when the young are able to fly.

Ducks molt twice each year, barely

finishing one cycle before the other

starts. Drakes sport their courtship

plumage in early fall.

Waterfowl

fliers.

are fast and powerful

The canvasback: “has. been

clocked at 70 m.p.h. Zoo birds are

“srounded” either by clipping the

flight feathers on one wing or by pin-

ioning (surgically removing the outer

end of one wing, rather like the loss of

a finger). Clipping may seem easier,

but the feathers grow back, and the

bird must be clipped frequently.

With the exception of some swans,

most waterfowl are very sociable.

They feed and travel, loaf and sleep in

large flocks. Courtship and family life

are highly developed. Swans and

geese are believed to mate for life.

Males help guard the nest and care

15

for the young. Geese migrate south in

family groups and return to the home-

grounds together in spring. The young

geese learn the migration routes from

their elders, resulting in a tradition of

stopovers and breeding grounds.

The handsome white Coscoroba

swans from South America are a puz-

zle to ornithologists since they do not

fit one classification. Although

definitely “swanish,” they have voices

like geese, lores (feathers between the

beak and the eye), and a broad bill

with strainers like a duck.

Ducks court and pair annually. In

most temperate regions, they pair off

on the wintering grounds. Since a

The Moluccan radjah shelduck of Australia is one of four different species of shelduck at the Zoo. Typically, a female, who is often more

colorful than the drake, encourages males to fight over her before selecting a mate.

drake from Manitoba may pair with a

hen from New York, many of these

ducks constitute single widespread

species. No related species of duck

native to the same region have iden-

tical plumage or courtship displays.

Female ducks appear to have innate

knowledge of the patterns and display

repertoire of their own species and

will usually choose correctly. Drakes

are less choosy, and apparently will

mate with anyone who will have

them. Male displays follow very

definite patterns, making the most of

the plumage. These displays have

names, some sounding like the newer

dance steps: the grunt-whistle, the

down-up, and the head-up, tail up.

The four species of shelducks on

exhibit have a slightly different court-

ship pattern. The female, who is often

more colorful than her mate, incites

him to attack other ducks and may

make her choice on the basis of the

response. All female ducks incite, but

in other species the usual response of

the male is one of acknowledgment.

The shelduck male will attack and if

he is beaten, the hen may desert him

for the winner of the encounter. They

form long-term pair bonds, and males

may help rear the young.

The handsome mandarin duck has a

spectacular display which takes full

advantage of his beautiful plumage.

An ornithological puzzle, the handsome

Coscoroba swan of South America is classi-

fied as a swan but has a bill more like

a duck. In the past, swans were slaugh-

tered by the thousands for their plumage to

make powder puffs and down coverings.

The mandarin duck is one of the

Chinese symbols of marital fidelity,

perhaps because its courtship in-

volves mutual preening.

Buffle heads, golden eyes, and

hooded mergansers all display crests

and head markings in courtship.

Although we may think of them as sea

or bay ducks, they nest in tree holes

around lakes or ponds. There have

been many stories of the mother duck

carrying her young down from their

hole on her back. More often, the

ducklings jump out in response to the

mother’s call.

Many ducks on the ponds now are

young ducks which hatched at the

Zoo last year. Nest boxes and

shelters will be provided, and hope-

fully there will be many more duck-

lings. Man tampers with the kind of

land that ducks depend on—pot

holes, marshes, and flood plains.

There may seem to be lots of ducks

around, but remember there were

once lots of passenger pigeons. Let’s

not take ducks for granted.

by Sally Tongren

FONZ, House Guide

Flying far and fast in the wild, the lesser

white-fronted goose breeds in Lapland and

Siberia, then flies thousands of miles to

winter in India, China, and Japan.

The Indian spotbill, with its handsomely splotched breast feathers, enjoys dozing in the sun just like other ducks on display in the new waterfowl

ponds atop Bird House hill.

have killed off more than 300 animal

species. Sadly, the tempo of annihila-

tion is quickening.

The Endangered Ones Although we have done our worst,

Cox points out that we have also done

by James A. Cox; Crown Publishers, our best. He reports on breeding-

Inc., 1975, 224 pp., $14.95. protection programs that have

“saved” the bison, Hawaiian goose,

trumpeter swan, and sea otter as

proof of what can be done if people

of common sense cooperate in com-

mon cause. Add to that laws and

organizations like FONZ that seek to

protect rare wildlife and an expan-

ding chain of preserves and parks

throughout the world. There is hope,

however slight.

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“Destroyed buildings can be rebuilt;

destroyed works of art may possibly

be replaced by new creations; but

every animal and every flower which

becomes extinct is lost forever in the

most absolute of all deaths.” —

Joseph Wood Krutch

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More people use more food, more

space, more homes, and more things.

©

<5 vet

y The result: /ess for everything else. As author Cox puts it, ‘‘We have

Its tragic impact on wildlife is well- | proved that we are the masters of

known, but few authors have docu- nature and the tamers of the wilds.

mented it so eloquently and so com- And now, while there is still a chance

pletely as James A. Cox in The En- to do so, we must make provisions for

dangered Ones. other forms of life on the Ark called

Earth— before the self-styled first-

Magnificently illustrated with more class passengers take over the entire

than 250 original line drawings, rare craft.”

engravings, and superb, full-cover

portraits, this new volume describes

more than 300 endangered species

around the world, from addax to

zebra. Here are animals both familiar

and exotic: the tiger and the tahr,

California condor and chub, rhino and

rhea, bald eagle and bandicoot.

by Sabin Robbins

Executive Director

Koh “LG OS

Case-by-case profiles include a des-

cription of each species, its habitat,

current status, and threat. Intro-

ductory chapters detail the enemies

(habitat destruction, indiscriminate

slaughter for sport and profit, ““pest/

Tristram’s woodpecker predator” control) which since 1600

Zanzibar red colobus

Philip Jones

Keeping Reptiles

And Amphbians

by Alfred Leutscher; Charles

Scribner's Sons, 1976, 164 pp.,

$7.95.

This book and the Cross sewing

boxes a great-aunt gave me every

Christmas for ten years have much in

common. Both are immensely useful,

of high quality, and share equally

low coefficients of excitement.

Perhaps it is sufficient that the author

cared enough about reptiles and

amphibians in captivity to provide

the amateur collector with

information needed to care for them

properly. It is obvious that Leutscher,

a longtime lecturer on natural history

at the British Museum, has wide

practical experience and success at

keeping reptiles and amphibians.

The first third of the book deals with

vivarium construction; diet; the

diagnosis and treatment of various

ailments; and, finally, breeding and

rearing young. The balance of the

book contains brief description of the

reptiles and amphibians best suited

to keep.

| particularly liked the section on

outdoor vivaria for temperate zone

species and the author’s implied

salute to the Georgetown goldfish

pond which may unwittingly save a

local population of amphibians from

extinction by giving them an urban

water hole in which to spawn

unmolested. | also liked the

admission fee Leutscher charges to

his conservatory which houses an

eclectic collection of reptiles and

amphibians. Each neighbor child is

asked to bring an item of food for a

resident herpeton. This approach

teaches children about the dietary

needs of the collection and, at the

same time, cuts down some on the

food budget.

Other aspects of the book troubled

me. Leutscher treats his subject with

a certain diffidence and clearly is not

trying to recruit collectors of reptiles

and amphibians. He even states that

no rare specimen should be collected

or bought from a dealer. Elsewhere

in the book, however, his words seem

to belie this laudable advice. | can

be sure only that he is saying, “Don’t

collect MY rare and endangered

species.” He reports that the

Natterjack (Bufo calamita) has

become rare in Britain, asks that it

“olease” not be collected there and

recommends going to the continent

where there are “plenty.” | was

appalled that there even was a

section on keeping crocodilians when

this ancient order is fighting for

survival all over the world. Leutscher

says, “In the vivarium hobby small

specimans are usually kept and give

little trouble until they outgrow their

home, when they may have to be

presented to the local zoo.”

Conservation-minded modern zoos

tend to limit their collections to

breeding populations of rare species

and would be most reluctant to

accept the odd caiman who escaped

from the laundry tub and bit the cat.

Leutscher hints at what he regards as

suitable attributes in a “pet”. A

suitable “pet” is not noisy. For this

reason he recommends against

keeping tree frogs which can be

disturbingly loud, especially at night

and during wet weather. An ideal

“net” does not spend long intervals

‘just doing nothing.” The Ball Python

“unfortunately spends much time

curled up in a tight ball and can

make a disappointing pet”, but “by

gently handling, the author managed

to get a young specimen to stop this

habit.” Eating habits may be another

“net” drawback. Leutscher describes

prey ingestion by snakes as ‘‘a slow

and deliberate process, almost

painful to watch, (which) may

distress some people.” He adds, “It is

best they not keep a snake.”

My abraded sensibilities aside, this is

a comprehensive, well-organized, and

valuable little volume for the

conscientious collector.

by Eliza Soyster

FONZ, House Guide

21

FONZNA\S

Free Zoo Tours

For FONZ Members

Free Saturday tours of the Zoo for

members proved so popular last

year that FONZ is offering them this

winter.

Thanks to FONZ guides who have

kindly volunteered their time and

expertise, members will be taken on

a one- to one-and-a-half-hour

walking tour of the collection with

stops to see the giant pandas, white

tigers, Atlas lions, and a special look

at the innovative bear exhibits due

to open in the spring.

These are walking tours so wear

warm clothes and comfortable

shoes. Complimentary hot cocoa

and coffee will be served.

Happiness is having a special FONZ T-shirt

just printed for you as one young member

discovered on ZooNight. The after-hours

evening for members only featured elephant

management demonstrations by Al Perry,

behind-the-lines tours of the Reptile House,

and the chance to hold some baby corn

snakes, late panda feeding, continuous pup-

pet shows by Junior Zoo Aides, a glockenspiel

concert, animal art show, and preview of the

new bear exhibits. Free beer and soft drinks

were served to all. “What a fabulous way to

see the Zoo,” exclaimed one enthusiastic

member.

Reservations will be accepted no

earlier than 30 days prior to the tour

date for your category. Space is

limited, so please call for your reser-

vation on 232-7700. This activity is

strictly limited to members only.

Membership category:

Family (adult cards — yellow)

(junior cards — green)

Junior members under 10 must be

accompanied by an adult member.

Date: Saturday, December 4

Time: 10:00 a.m.; 1:00 p.m. (identical

tours)

Membership category:

Junior — ages 3-9 (green card)

Must be accompanied by one

adult.

Date: Saturday, January 8

Time: 10:00 a.m.

Membership category:

Junior—ages 10-18 (green card)

No adults may accompany this

tour.

Date: Saturday, January 8

Time: 1:00 p.m.

Membership category:

Individual (orange card)

Date: Saturday, February 5

Time: 10:00 a.m.; 1:00 p.m. (identical

tours)

Membership category:

Couples & Seniors (red & blue cards)

Date: Saturday, March 5

Time: 10:00 a.m.; 1:00 p.m. (identical

tours)

FONZ Pacific Trips

Are Near Sell-Out

FONZ-sponsored wildlife tours to

the South Pacific and Galapagos

Islands are filling up fast. Both of

these unusual safaris are limited to

about 20, so interested members

should contact FONZ as soon as

possible.

The trip to paradise—three weeks in

Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, and

Tahiti, departs Washington on

October 7, 1977 and returns October

29. Participants will see the world-

famous parade of fairy penguins and

explore wilderness sanctuaries that

protect koalas, kangaroos, even a

unique grotto for glow worms.

Special visits and receptions are

being planned at major zoos.

Nine days will be spent in Australia

with visits to Brisbane, Sydney

(including a tour of their renowned

Opera House), and Melbourne. Six

days in New Zealand will feature a

wildlife island cruise, Maiori dancers,

a barbeque in a field of steaming

geyers, and a special look at the

kiwis.

Although the trip is designed to

provide an insider’s look at the

unusual wildlife of the “down

under” continent, there will be

several days in both Fiji and Tahiti

for beachcombing, glass-bottom

boat cruises, and native feasts and

dances. Cost of the tour, including

all transportation, tips, deluxe hotels,

and most meals, is approximately

$2700, which includes a tax-

deductible $100 contribution to

FONZ.

Perhaps no islands in the world

offer the abundance and variety of

wildlife as the Galapagos off the

coast of Ecuador. Just as this group

of islands amazed Darwin and

triggered his thinking on the theory

of evolution, it amazes and delights

today’s few visitors lucky enough to

explore its remote islands and inlets

where giant tortoises, dragon-like

land and marine iguanas, penguins,

flightless cormorants, and blue-

footed boobies roam. Much of the

wildlife is miraculously unafraid of

man. Birds land on your shoulder.

Fur sea lions join you swimming.

The two-week safari departs

Washington July 15, 1977 and

includes stopovers in the capital

cities of Bogota, Columbia, and

Quito, Ecuador. Optional post-tour

trips include a visit to Machu

Picchu, “the lost city of the Incas, “

and a jungle cruise down the

Amazon.

The cost is approximately $1,500

which includes a $100 contribution

to“ FONZ.

Both the South Pacific and

Galapagos safaris are FONZ “firsts”

so special efforts are being made to

ensure that they will be unforget-

table wildlife adventures.

23