Unleashing the Zoo Of His Dreams

Berry wants to expand its programs for animal research and conservation education and add a breeding site for Asian elephants. He stressed that only 200 or 300 acres would be opened to the public to view animals on what he called "the prettiest property east of the Mississippi." He had no estimate of when this would happen, what it would cost or whether there would be an admission charge.

San Diego's Wild Animal Park is a popular 1,800-acre complex with protected habitat areas. Its Web site touts overnight camping adventures, guided walking tours and "intimate wildlife encounters."

As part of his reorganization, Berry has named several associate directors. Steven L. Monfort, a research veterinarian at Front Royal, heads conservation and science. Mara Mayor, a former director of the Smithsonian Associates, runs education programs. Fran Bernstein, Friends of the National Zoo's development and marketing director, has been reassigned to Berry's office to lead fundraising.

Timothy Walsh, an assistant professor at Washington State University, starts this month as the zoo's supervisory pathologist.

Berry is seeking someone to fill the key position of associate director for animal care.

Last summer, several outside veterinarians, including the zoo's former associate pathologist, raised new concerns about five animal deaths that occurred between December 2003 and December 2004, including a lion with a uterine infection that zoo veterinarians failed to spot.

A longtime veterinary resident provided much of the care for the five animals. Licensed in Mexico, he has worked at the zoo for 5 1/2 years but has not received a license to practice in the United States. The zoo said he planned to take a licensing exam last year but will now take it this spring.

"I hope we never have a misdiagnosis again," Berry said. He called animal care "job number one" and said he was "incredibly impressed" with the zoo's head veterinarian, Suzan Murray, and the four other zoo veterinarians and wants to hire a sixth to share the workload.

Animal-rights groups have questioned whether zoos, particularly those in cold climates, can offer sufficient space and the best environment for elephants. Berry said the zoo is making a commitment to help preserve the species.

"It's heading for the cliff," he said.

The new quarters, he said, would have one of the largest indoor natural surfaces for elephants in the United States and include a salt lick, mud bath, pool and other outdoor habitats. Elephants could be indoors or out, as they choose. He said the yard would be designed to keep much of it ice-free but noted that Kandula, the zoo's bull calf, likes the cold.

Berry, who receives a salary of more than $195,000, has hit the ground running since assuming zoo duties. The former congressional aide and Interior Department official has familiarized himself with every section of the park, even getting up before dawn to help deliver food from the animal commissary. He usually walks the two miles from his home to work.

As he drives around the zoo in a golf cart, he often calls out greetings to schoolchildren and other visitors. He has a special fondness for Maureen, the zoo's 28-year-old sea lion.

Upbeat about the challenges ahead, he concedes that it will take a lot of support from Congress and elsewhere to achieve his vision.

"Stick with me," he said, referring to lawmakers, "and in 10 years I'll give them a zoo that is worthy of the name National Zoo and that our nation and our city can be proud of."