Small has stated in previous reports that he wants to redirect resources into more publicly visible areas of the Smithsonian Institution's museums. His view is that the Smithsonian must cut costs and focus resources on areas most visible to the public, including the museums and displays at the National Zoo in Washington. According to a 10-page statement provided by Small's press secretary, budgets for zoological and conservation biology at the Smithsonian have been eroding for a decade, while costs have been increasing. The statement indicates that CRC scientists currently participate in 11 research programs. Of these, six will continue and be transferred to facilities at the National Zoo.
Animals belonging to canceled projects are to be transferred to other zoos or sold.
Monfort and Williamson's Eld's deer are to be moved to facilities in Florida, Texas or California that are considered large enough to accommodate herds of hoofed animals. The CRC's Wemmer says the change of venue to the zoo will mean a dramatic reduction in scientific efforts and in the ability to achieve the successes of the past. One thing they continue to emphasize is we will still study captive animals. We also use the property for international training to teach conservation techniques, such as animal surveys and vegetation analysis. Smithsonian officials say that conservation biology has changed over the past 25 years and that raising herds of animals for reintroduction into the wild is no longer viable, therefore the need for the CRC's 3,200 acres no longer exists.