National Zoological Park (United States) - Controversies

Controversies

In 2009, the zoo was operating under provisional accreditation due to reports of inadequate animal care resulting in animal deaths. The director, Lucy Spelman, resigned at the end of 2009. In January 2003 red pandas died after eating rat poison that had been buried in their yard by a pest control contractor. The incident led the city of Washington to seek to fine the zoo over its claim of federally granted immunity. In July 2003, a predator managed to enter an exhibit and kill a Bald Eagle. Zoo officials later stated that the animal was likely killed by a red fox. In 2005, a three-year-old Sulawesi macaque named Ripley was killed in the Think Tank when two keepers closed a hydraulic door without realizing the monkey was in the doorway. It was the third death that month at the National Zoo. The insider source of most of the deaths and the interpretation on how they happened was a former zoo pathologist, Dr. Don Nichols. As a veterinarian, Dr. Spelman had treated several of the animals that died and were featured in the Washington Post article that was based on Dr. Nichols' insider information and his interpretation of circumstances. Although Dr. Nichols was perceived as a disgruntled former employee, his claims were taken very seriously. Errors in care, management and communications were found after a panel conducted an external investigation, including instances where veterinarians significantly altered legal medical records weeks and even years after events occurred.

The zoo's head veterinarian at the time, Dr. Suzan Murray, was accused of altering medical records to make them sound more benign than what actually transpired. Murray responded that the software used "was not designed as a legal document, but rather as a user-friendly way of maintaining and sharing important information". The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) specifically states "Without the express permission of the practice owner, it is unethical for a veterinarian to remove, copy, or use the medical records or any part of any record."

In January 2005, the National Academy of Sciences released its final report on a two-year investigation into animal care and management at the National Zoo. The committee, consisting of external veterinarians and scientists, evaluated 74% of all large mammal deaths that occurred at the National Zoo from 1999 to 2003. They concluded that "in a majority of cases, the animal received appropriate care throughout its lifetime. In particular, the committee’s evaluation of randomly sampled megavertebrate deaths at the Rock Creek Park facility revealed few questions about the appropriateness of these animals’ care, suggesting that the publicized animal deaths were not indicative of a wider, undiscovered problem with animal care at the Rock Creek Park facility."

The problems at the zoo, which culminated with Dr. Spelman's resignation, included facilities and budget shortcomings, although the animal care problems were prominently highlighted. Dr. Suzan Murray continues to serve as the zoo's head veterinarian. One other veterinarian featured prominently in the inadequate care of animals at the zoo also remains on staff, but the zoo has added a new head pathologist and has added other veterinarians.

In January 2006, the National Zoo euthanized an Asian elephant named "Toni" after a long time suffering from arthritis and poor body condition. Animal rights groups, specifically In Defense of Animals or IDA, leveled the accusation that inadequate care over her lifespan in captivity led to the conditions that ultimately led to her death. In December 2006, a clouded leopard escaped from its new exhibit at the Asia Trails due to weak fencing used to confine it.