WASHINGTON — The pandas at the National Zoo will find themselves without their usual adoring crowds Sunday when the Smithsonian Institution’s museums and research centers close their doors to the public as funding starts to dry up during the government shutdown.
The Smithsonian announced the temporary closure on X, adding that its social media accounts aren’t likely to be updated until there’s a plan to reopen the federal government.
The zoo and museums had remained open to the public during the shutdown, which began Oct. 1, by using leftover funds from the previous fiscal year. The Smithsonian initially said it would only stay open through Oct. 6, but later extended that window an extra five days.
The Smithsonian, which spans 19 museums, 14 education and research centers and the National Zoo, is primarily funded by the federal government. About 62% of its funding comes from Congress, along with contributions from private sources and revenue from its operations.
The institution — the world’s largest museum and research complex — is a staple on itineraries for tourists to the nation’s capital, drawing millions of visitors each year, in part because the zoo and museums offer free entry to the public.
Despite the temporary closure, the animals at the zoo and at the Smithsonian’s conservation center in Virginia will continue to be fed and cared for, as stated on an FAQ page and confirmed by a zoo spokesperson Friday.
“All the animals at the Zoo and at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, will continue to be fed and cared for. A shutdown will not affect our commitment to the safety of our staff and standard of excellence in animal care,” the FAQ read.
But the animal cams, which allow the public to keep an eye on zoo animals in real time, including its famous pandas, will go dark during the temporary closure.
The Smithsonian is the latest tourist attraction to be hit by the shutdown. National parks have been partially closed since the beginning of the month, though some governors are keeping parks open by tapping into state funds.
We’d like to hear from you about how you’re experiencing the government shutdown, whether you’re a federal employee who can’t work right now or someone who is feeling the effects of shuttered services in your everyday life. Please contact us at tips@nbcuni.com or reach out to us here.
There’s no clear path to reopening the government and providing funds to organizations like the Smithsonian.
The Senate has repeatedly failed to pass a House-passed Republican funding bill or a Democratic alternative, creating a cycle that some senators have compared to “Groundhog Day.”
Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Friday said the House will not be back in session until the Senate approves the Republican funding bill. Still, either chamber could be called back on short notice if a deal to end the shutdown is reached.
The Trump administration has sought to find workarounds for some unpopular aspects of the shutdown. President Donald Trump on Saturday said that he would direct the Defense Department to pay troops this week, as officials and lawmakers expressed concern that members of the military would not receive their mid-October paychecks.
