Norton Questions Staff Professionalism at Zoo - September 6, 2006

Norton Questions Staff Professionalism at Zoo
September 6, 2006

Washington, DC-Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today released a letter to John Berry, Director of the National Zoo, asking that he meet with her to address continuing concerns about animal care and qualified staff, including a veterinarian, reported to be unlicensed, who cared for five animals who suffered questionable deaths. In the letter Norton said, "I am concerned to know whether there is a problem with the overall quality of Zoo staff, whether the Zoo continues to have difficulty recruiting fully qualified staff, and whether there have been significant improvements in animal care." Norton has monitored the National Zoo since a 2003 congressional hearing and a subsequent National Academy of Sciences (NAS) report identified disturbing problems in animal care and oversight. An NAS report early last year found that the Zoo had made some progress. However, Norton said that recent reports about the unlicensed veterinarian have prompted her to again question the Zoo's progress and critical operations. The full text of Norton's letter follows.

September 6, 2006

John Berry
Director, National Zoo
Washington, DC

Dear Mr. Berry,

I am concerned about recent reports that a veterinarian, charged with the care of five animals whose deaths have been criticized by professionals in the field, has again failed the examination necessary to become a licensed U.S. veterinarian. Following disturbing reports of mismanagement and animal deaths, a House Administration hearing on the National Zoo in March 2003 identified serious problems in animal care at the zoo and in oversight, which led to a National Academy of Sciences report identifying many areas where the National Zoo was deficient, including animal care and management, record keeping, pest management, and mission and strategic planning for the entire National Zoo complex.

Before you became Zoo Director, I worked with Rep. Robert Ney and Rep. John Larson, then Chair and Ranking Member of the House Administration Committee, which has jurisdiction over the National Zoo, to achieve a Memorandum of Understanding between the Smithsonian Institution and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, eliminating any possible ambiguity concerning whether the National Zoo fell under the purview of the Animal Welfare Act. The Zoo's legal counsel and other staff met with me when I was considering filing a bill to amend the Animal Welfare Act until I received assurances from Zoo staff, following our own legal research, that the National Zoo was subject to the Act, its inspection requirements, and other relevant requirements. Although the National Academy of Sciences report in early 2005 found that the National Zoo has made some progress, questions are now again raised about animal care quality because an unlicensed veterinarian had been involved in the care of animals whose deaths have been controversial.

I am concerned to know whether there is a problem with the overall quality of Zoo staff, whether the Zoo continues to have difficulty recruiting fully qualified staff, and whether there have been significant improvements in animal care. Please call to arrange an appointment so that we can discuss this matter.

Sincerely,

Eleanor Holmes Norton