WASHINGTON, D.C. — The beloved pandas at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo will spend the coming days without their usual crowds, as the Smithsonian Institution announced the temporary closure of its museums and research centers due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown.
Smithsonian Announces Temporary Closure
In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), the Smithsonian confirmed that all museums and the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. will close to the public beginning Sunday. The post added that the institution’s social media channels will likely remain inactive until a plan to reopen the federal government is established.
The Smithsonian had managed to remain open since the shutdown began on October 1, relying on leftover federal funds from the previous fiscal year. Initially planning to stay open through October 6, the Smithsonian extended operations by an additional five days before announcing the shutdown.
Federal Funding and Impact on Operations
The Smithsonian — known as the world’s largest museum and research complex — encompasses 19 museums, 14 education and research centers, and the National Zoo. Roughly 62% of its funding comes from Congress, with the remainder sourced from private donations and operational revenue.
Each year, millions of visitors flock to Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo, both of which are free to the public and among the top tourist attractions in Washington, D.C.
Animal Care Continues Despite Closure
Although the gates will close, the Smithsonian emphasized that animal care will not be affected. According to an FAQ page and a zoo spokesperson, “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.”
However, the popular animal live cams, including those featuring the National Zoo’s famous pandas, will go offline during the shutdown.
Shutdown Affects Other National Attractions
The Smithsonian’s closure adds to a growing list of U.S. tourist sites impacted by the government shutdown. Many national parks have already been partially closed since the start of October, though several state governors are using state funds to keep certain parks open for visitors.
Uncertain Path Toward Reopening
There’s currently no clear timeline for reopening the federal government or restoring funding to organizations like the Smithsonian. The Senate has repeatedly failed to pass either a Republican-backed funding bill or a Democratic alternative, creating what some lawmakers describe as a “Groundhog Day” stalemate.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said Friday that the House will not reconvene until the Senate passes the Republican funding bill, though both chambers could be called back if a compromise is reached.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump announced that he would direct the Department of Defense to ensure military personnel receive their mid-October paychecks, addressing growing concerns about the shutdown’s financial impact.