Shared Stewardship and Ethical Returns Policy

In April 2022, the Smithsonian adopted a Shared Stewardship and Ethical Returns Policy. The policy acknowledges that ethical norms and professional best practices in collecting have changed. The Smithsonian has collections that it would not have acquired under present-day standards. Although the Smithsonian has legal title or custody of its collections, continued retention or sole stewardship may cause harm to descendants or communities and be fundamentally inconsistent with the Smithsonian’s ethical standards and values. In these circumstances, shared stewardship or ethical return may be appropriate.

The Smithsonian recognizes the value of community representation in its collections. Preserving and making available to the public—with honor and respect—a diverse range of collections, stories, and histories is essential to carrying out the Smithsonian’s role as collaborative custodian of cultural and historical legacies. Therefore, the Smithsonian is committed to working transparently and in consultation with individuals, descendent communities, and other stakeholders to consider matters of shared stewardship and the potential return of collections based on ethical considerations.

“This new policy is a cultural shift in our concepts of possession, ownership, and stewardship of collections. Its adoption is an expression of our values and commitment to meet our ethical obligations as a national and international cultural institution.” – Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III

Shared Stewardship and Ethical Returns Policy at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute (NZCBI)

(An amendment to NZCBI’s Collections Management Policy, as of March 9, 2023)

With the adoption of the Smithsonian Institution’s Shared Stewardship and Ethical Returns Policy (April 29, 2022), NZCBI affirms the requirement that all Smithsonian collections and related collections information must be acquired ethically and legally.

1. Applicability

The full implementation of the Shared Stewardship and Ethical Returns Policy at NZCBI is very limited due to the nature of our operations as a zoological institution accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and the nature of our collection, consisting of live animals. NZCBI adheres to the principles and standards set forth by the AZA and all applicable laws pertaining to the welfare of animals, the conservation of wildlife, and the protection of endangered species.

2. Authority and Responsibilities

Requests for joint management1 or return of species or individual live animals that are owned by NZCBI may be made by foreign state governments and their authorized agencies or ministries.  Such requests will be processed through the Registrars Office and may be reviewed by the appropriate staff (responsible Curator, Veterinarian, Registrar, and/or Director’s Designate of Animal Care) who will provide recommendations to the Director for a final decision. The Director will consult with the Office of General Counsel (OGC), the National Collections Program (NCP), and the Under Secretary for Science and Research in accordance with SD 600 prior to finalizing a decision. If a request is accepted, a written agreement will be signed by the Director. If a request is denied, the Office of the Director will provide written communication of the final decision to the requestor. All deaccessioning and disposal guidelines stated in the NZCBI’s Collection Management Policy and the Smithsonian Directive (SD) 600 will be followed.

Requests for the return or shared stewardship2 of non-living collections will be processed through the Registrars Office and addressed by the Director.

3. Evaluation Criteria

In evaluating whether a requester is the appropriate party to request return or joint management of living collections, NZCBI will consider:

  • What is the requestor’s relationship to the animal(s) or species?
  • Does the requester have the governmental authority to act on behalf of the foreign state government or agency/ministry making a request?

In evaluating whether joint management is appropriate based on ethical considerations, NZCBI will consider:  

  • Evidence that the species only originates/originated in the requesting country or territory when the animal or the U.S. population founders were imported to the U.S.;
  • The history of imports from the requesting country or territory to the U.S.;
  • The support of the AZA Population Management group for the species, if available;
  • Evidence that a foreign governmental entity or authorized agency/ministry has accepted responsibility for responding to breeding and management requests.

In evaluating whether physical return of living collections is appropriate based on ethical considerations, NZCBI will consider: 

  • Evidence that the species only originates/originated in the requesting country or territory when the animal or the U.S. population founders were imported to the U.S.;
  • The history of imports from the requesting country or territory to the U.S.;
  • The support of the AZA Population Management group for the species, if available;
  • Evidence that the requesting foreign state government or agency/ministry has the knowledge, finances, and commitment to care for the animal(s) to as high or higher standard than NZCBI now and in the future.

NZCBI is restricted by AZA applicable accreditation standards from approving any request to return living specimens to facilities or individuals deemed or determined unqualified or unable to provide proper veterinary and husbandry care as well as appropriate welfare for the animal(s).  Any arrangement for physical return requires documentation of compliance with applicable laws governing the possession of wild animals.  In addition, the requestors must meet NZCBI’s expectations of any recipient. If the request has the potential to affect the public trust of the Zoo and the Smithsonian, it must be brought to the attention of the Office of General Counsel, the National Collections Program, the Director’s Designate of Animal Care, the Director, and, at the Director’s discretion, the Under Secretary for Science and Research.

 

 

1. Joint management for living collections refers to shared authority in decisions pertaining to the breeding, use, and disposition of collection animals while NZCBI retains custody of the live animal(s) as a loan.

2. Shared stewardship for non-living collections refers to the shared authority and responsibility for the attribution, documentation, interpretation, display, care, storage, access, and disposition of non-living collection items.