Animal Care and Management at the National Zoo Final Report (2005) / Chapter Skim
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Executive Summary
Executive Summary
Pages 1-10
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From page 1... ...
Over the last 6 months, they have reorganized their preventive-medicine and nutrition programs and made substantial strides in developing an electronic keeper record system, centralizing their commissary, and establishing performance measures for all levels of the organization that are monitored by senior management. The committee encourages the staff of the National Zoo to continue in a positive direction towards regaining the National Zoo's preeminence in the zoo community.
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From page 2... ...
In this final report, the findings deal primarily, but not exclusively, with issues not addressed in the interim report, such as the strategic plan, human resources, training, and occupational health and safety. This final report discusses whether the institution is responding adequately to concerns raised in the interim report and addresses three additional topics: a scientific evaluation of recent animal deaths, a review of CRC operations to determine whether the problems at the Rock Creek Park facility identified in the interim report were also evident at the CRC, and an assessment of whether practices and physical conditions at the zoo were improving.
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From page 3... ...
In addition, in collaboration with the Smithsonian Institution, the zoo developed and implemented new standards for the filing and retention of records. Finally, the pest-management program at the Rock Creek Park facility has made a number of facility improvements to control the rodent problem at the zoo.
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From page 4... ...
The strategic plan is a good articulation of the mission and 10-year vision of the National Zoo and includes a bold proposal to integrate the CRC science programs with the Rock Creek exhibits and programs, thereby creating a unique niche in the larger zoo community that cannot be fulfilled by the Rock Creek Park facility alone. The elements of the zoo's strategic plan include a mission statement, a description of core values, a 10-year vision statement, 1-year and 5-year goals, and six strategies for achieving the goals.
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From page 5... ...
These measures should be evaluated at least annually to determine whether those goals are being met and whether the strategic or operational plan requires modification. · The strategic plan should directly link the plan for revitalizing the physical facilities with the animal acquisition plan to ensure that planned expansion of the zoo's animal collection can occur without taxing already failing facilities and compromising animal and staff safety.
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From page 6... ...
· To improve the knowledge base among staff, the zoo should develop recruitment strategies to ensure an appropriate balance of staff recruited from outside and those transferred or promoted from within the organization. · The zoo should develop additional strategies for capturing and retaining existing institutional knowledge that is being lost through the departure of experienced staff.
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From page 7... ...
Review of Individual Animal Deaths at the National Zoo A scientific examination was conducted of recent animal deaths at the CRC and Rock Creek Park facilities. The committee examined medical records, keeper notes, pathology records, curatorial records, and internal memorandums and reports that were provided by the zoo.
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From page 8... ...
It used criteria similar to those used in its evaluation of the Rock Creek Park facility, documented in the interim report. Animal Care and Management at CRC To assess the quality of past animal care at the center, the medical records of a random sample of animals representing about 5% of the collection were evaluated.
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From page 9... ...
· The CRC should transition to new recordkeeping systems in parallel with the Rock Creek Park facility. Pest Control at the CRC The pest-control operation at the CRC facility has not experienced any difficulties.
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From page 10... ...
· Formal written policies pertaining to good safety practice should be enforced, and senior management should ensure inclusion of OHS training in a comprehensive training program for animal-care staff. · Safety department staff trained in occupational health and infectious disease should determine the testing and immunization requirements for zoo employees based on a hazard and exposure assessment developed with input from unit supervisors.
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