The Wandering Disciple

Sitting high in a tree, the red panda looks down at zoo guests at the National Zoo in Washington DC.  A native of the Himalayas and southwestern China, the red panda is a bamboo eating mammal that can be found hanging out in the trees eating at night and sleeping during the day.  Although it is shares the panda name, the red panda looks more like a large domestic cat than a giant panda.  The red panda is listed as an endangered species due to habitat loss and poaching.  You can get close with this little tree huggers at zoos like the National Zoo. (Photo: February 13, 2009)

A US Marine Corp Sikorsky VH-3 Sea King flies over the National Zoo on a flight towards the White House in Washington DC. The VH-3 is one of two helicopters flown by the Marines as part of the Presidential Airlift group. The Presidential helos are characterized by their white top. When the President is on board, the helicopter officially becomes Marine One. (Photo: February 13, 2009)

A tiger prowls the edge of a pool at the National Zoo in Washington DC. The zoo which operated by the Smithsonian Institiute is home to over 2,000 animals. (Photo: February 13, 2009)

A giant panda takes a nap at the National Zoo in Washington DC.  The pandas are on loan to the United States from China.  (Photo: February 13, 2009)

A VH-3 Sea King from the US Marine Corps HMX-1 Squadron flies over the National Zoo in Washington DC inbound to the south lawn of the White House. These presidential "White Tops" are the official helicopter of the President of the United States. Based in Quantico, the HMX-1 Squadron is responsible for the duties of presidential helicopter transport. (Photo: February 13, 2009)

An Asian Small Clawed Otter enjoys his habitat at the National Zoo in Washington DC. The National Zoo is a 163 acre zoo in our nation's capitol that is home to over 2,000 animals. Opened in 1889, the zoo is operated by the Smithsonian Institute and admission is free. (Photo: February 13, 2009)

Washington, DC: Located north of downtown DC in Rock Creek Park lies the National Zoo. The zoo has been entertaining visitors for years with the variety of wildlife that call to park home. The zoo was formed in 1889 by an Act of Congress, identifying the need for species conservation and place for recreation. The zoo became under the control of the Smithsonian Institute in 1890. The design of the zoo came from Samuel Langley, William Temple Hornaday and Frederick Law Olmsted. The 163 acre zoo provides a refuge for the wildlife and great public viewing for the guests of the zoo. The main functions of the zoo was conservation and education, a philosophy that still exists to this day. This was evident in the 1950’s as the focus of the zoo shifted from being just a wildlife attraction to more on long term conservation of the animals with the hiring of a full time veterinarian to provide specialized care for the animals. During the 1960’s the efforts moved into the breeding of threa...