Easter Monday Statement From National Zoo Director Dennis Kelly
April 26, 2011
First, let me say that we’re concerned for the young man that was injured here. We hope that he will have a complete recovery.
An altercation broke out at approximately 3:30, and a juvenile was stabbed. He fled our property and was later found on Connecticut Avenue where he was transferred to a hospital. All details of the injured boy and those arrested in conjunction with the altercation should be addressed to MPD. Our Zoo Police in collaboration with Metropolitan Police are still investigating the incident.
We will conduct a thorough review of the day. For the past ten years, we’ve had sufficient security resources, and now we need to reevaluate for the future. We have a good security situation and will improve it for the Zoo, which is increasingly attracting more visitors. We will examine our capacity. We know that we have several extremely popular events and seasons. We’re now in a position where we will restrict the rate of flow of visitors into the Zoo in order to maintain the highest level of safety. That is what we did yesterday. By late afternoon, we reached what we felt was our capacity and closed the Zoo to more visitors.
Today, we are at normal staffing level and remain extra vigilant due to the events of yesterday and in close communication with MPD. I’m thankful for their support and excellent response yesterday.
My goal is to continue the National Zoo Easter Monday tradition in a way that we can ensure not just a quality experience but to maintain the safety for all visitors that come here. The incident yesterday was extremely unfortunate. Easter Monday grew out of a grassroots community tradition among Washingtonians that has lasted more than 100 years. In the early 1990s, the Zoo and Friends of the National Zoo, decided that instead of simply being a venue for this community tradition, the Zoo should offer fun and educational activities to welcome area families and enrich their experience at the Zoo. I will also be working with my Smithsonian colleagues to upgrade our security services for the rest of the busy spring season before summer arrives.
