From collector to conservationist
In 1886, the Smithsonian sent its Chief Taxidermist, William T. Hornaday, to Montana to collect bison for a display. Hornaday was shocked by how few bison he saw. While he did kill some animals for the display, he also collected live animals specifically to establish a herd. He housed the bison behind the Smithsonian Castle where they became a hit with the public.

A park becomes a zoo.
Hornaday believed a national zoo was needed to protect endangered species like bison. In 1889, Congress acted on his idea and created the National Zoological Park "for the advancement of science and the instruction and recreation of the people." In 1890, the Zoo became part of the Smithsonian, and in 1891 it opened to the public at its current Rock Creek Park site. Among the Zoo's first animals were a black bear, a bald eagle, a panther and of course, American bison.

Image captions:
Hornaday with young bison (1886)
Smithsonian Institution Archives. Record Unit 95. Negative Number 74-12338

Bison behind the Smithsonian Castle (c. 1886-89)
Smithsonian Institution Archives. Record Unit 95. Negative Number 8008A

School children viewing the first bison at the Zoo (1899)
Smithsonian Institution Archives. Accession 98-015.
Negative
Number 2003-19498

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And Then There Were (Almost) None
Meet Our Bison
Feeding Times at the Zoo
It's Our 125th Birthday!
House Remodeling
Olmsted Walk
Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Smithsonian's National Zoo
Saving Species Through Science
Conservation Geography

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