[Nhcoll-l] Terrible news from the Smithsonian National Zoo

[Ben Frable]

Hi All,

A recent press release from the National Zoo reveals that they will be
closing the Invertebrate Exhibit next Weekend.  This is a pretty
substantial blow to biodiversity at the National Zoo. Although I am now an
ichthyologist, I volunteered in the Invertebrate Exhibit for 3 years in
high school.  It was one of the only exhibits in the Zoo at which people
under 18 could volunteer because of IACUC requirements for handling with
live vertebrates. So, not only has the National Zoo just nixed a majority
of animal diversity from their park, they have removed the main avenue for
outreach and youth involvement-- that was exceptionally influential- of the
volunteers I worked with, I think 6 of us are now working in the
museum/zoo/aquarium field.


http://nationalzoo.si.edu/publications/pressmaterials/pressreleases/press-release.cfm?id=2649

I don't think there is any chance of public recourse on this, but I would
be interested in a a petition to get the higher ups to re-evaluate this
decision.


-- 
Ben Frable
Graduate Researcher
Oregon State Ichthyology Collection
104 Nash Hall
Department of Fisheries and Wildlife
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331
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