Smithsonian National Zoo in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Feeding Times at the Zoo
Smithsonian's National Zoo
— 125 Years —
Since the early days, the Zoo has prepared special foods for our animals. But just as nutrition guidelines for people have changed over the years, so too has our knowledge of animals' needs. Today, a team of nutritionists, veterinarians and keepers provide the best known diet for each Zoo animal.
Our Commissary receives and distributes almost 3,000 pounds of food daily. Final meal preparations are made using science-based recipes developed in our Nutrition Laboratory—the first of its kind in a U.S. zoo—established in 1980.
Erected by Smithsonian Institution.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Environment. A significant historical year for this entry is 1934.
Location. 38° 55.905′ N, 77° 3.11′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Smithsonian National Zoo. Marker can be reached from Olmsted Walk. On the grounds of the Smithsonian National Zoological Garden. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3001 Connecticut Avenue Northwest, Washington DC 20008, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. It's Our 125th Birthday! (a few steps from this marker); Meet Our Bison (within shouting distance of this marker); Are They Bison or Buffalo? (within shouting distance
this page online
More about this marker.
Captions of images on marker:
Preparing a meal in the old butcher shop
Baking loaves of bread to feed the bears, 1934
Hidden or disguised food promotes hunting behavior in animals liked these maned wolves.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 224 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 17, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
