2017 US Code
Title 20 - Education
Chapter 4 - National Zoological Park
Sec. 81 - Administration by Regents of Smithsonian Institution

The National Zoological Park is placed under the direction of the Regents of the Smithsonian Institution, who are authorized to transfer to it any living specimens, whether of animals or plants, in their charge, to accept gifts for the park at their discretion, in the name of the United States, to make exchanges of specimens, and to administer and improve the said Zoological Park for the advancement of science and the instruction and recreation of the people.

(Apr. 30, 1890, ch. 173, §2, 26 Stat. 78; Pub. L. 87–360, Oct. 4, 1961, 75 Stat. 779.)

1961—Pub. L. 87–360 inserted "and improve" after "administer".

The National Zoological Park was established under provisions of the District of Columbia Appropriation Act for the Fiscal Year 1890, act Mar. 2, 1889, ch. 370, §4, 25 Stat. 808, which constituted a commission to select from a certain district along Rock Creek a tract of land, including a section of the creek, suitable for a zoological park, and to purchase the land so selected, or take proceedings for the condemnation thereof, the United States to have title to the land on payment therefor to the owners.

The Rock Creek Park was established by act Sept. 27, 1890, ch. 1001, 26 Stat. 492.

The Potomac Park was established by act Mar. 3, 1897, ch. 375, 29 Stat. 624.

Certain parcels of land were added to the National Zoological Park by acts June 5, 1920, ch. 235, §1, 41 Stat. 892; Mar. 4, 1921, ch. 161, §1, 41 Stat. 1384.

Provisions for a parkway connecting Potomac Park with Zoological Park and Rock Creek Park were made by act Mar. 4, 1913, ch. 147, §27, 37 Stat. 885.