National Zoo (Washington, DC, USA) - Part II, Exploring the Park

Personally, I think there is something barbaric about all zoological parks where animals are kept in captivity and shown to people for their enjoyment. Do not get me wrong - I am not implying at all that the Smithsonian National Zoological Park is somehow involved in exploiting animals to excite crowds. Quite the opposite, the National Zoo is rather successful in fulfilling its mission to provide leadership in animal care, science, education, sustainability, and visitor experience. But this very success creates some interesting dilemmas. July 19, 2011

National Zoo (Washington, DC, USA) - Part I, Arriving to the Park

The Smithsonian National Zoological Park, also known as the National Zoo or simply the Zoo, is one of the oldest zoological parks in the United States founded in 1889 by an Act of Congress. As it follows from the name of the Park it is a part of the Smithsonian Institution with the mission to "provide leadership in animal care, science, education, sustainability, and visitor experience." July 19, 2011