National Zoo And All Smithsonian Museums Close As Government Shutdown Continues

We are now on day 11 of the government shutdown and now some museums and zoos are starting to feel its effect.

The National Zoo in Washington D.C. has officially closed after having no funding to continue its operations due to the government shutdown.

All Smithsonian Museums in Washington D.C. have also closed its doors as lawmakers are unable to come into an agreement.

CBS News provided the latest update on the government shutdown:

Federal employees began receiving notices on Friday telling them they will be laid off in 60 days, CBS News has confirmed, after the Trump administration floated layoffs during the government shutdown. More than 4,000 workers at seven federal agencies could get layoff notices, according to a court filing.

A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services told CBS News on Sunday that some of the RIF notices that went to CDC employees on Friday were sent due to a coding error and have been rescinded. Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services, told CBS News that the employees “who received incorrect notifications were never separated from the agency and have all been notified that they are not subject to the reduction in force.”

Smithsonian museums, research centers and the National Zoo temporarily closed Sunday due to the government shutdown. The Smithsonian Institution had previously announced it was using prior-year funding to keep the entities open to the public through Oct. 11.

There has been little movement in Congress toward ending the government shutdown in recent days. The Senate left town after rejecting motions to advance Democratic and Republican-backed spending bills for a seventh time Thursday and won’t return until Tuesday afternoon.

Here’s the National Zoo’s announcement:

Due to the government shutdown, we are temporarily closed beginning on Sunday, Oct. 12, along with Smithsonian museums and research centers. We will update our operating status as soon as the situation is resolved. We do not plan to update social media other than to inform you of… pic.twitter.com/80vJFNZ7b1

— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) October 10, 2025

Announcement from the Smithsonian:

Due to the government shutdown, Smithsonian museums are temporarily closed beginning on Sunday, Oct. 12, along with our research centers and the National Zoo.

We will update our operating status as soon as the situation is resolved. We do not plan to update social media other… pic.twitter.com/qdWi8gSGmY

— Smithsonian (@smithsonian) October 10, 2025

NBC News reported 62% of the Smithsonian Museum and National Zoo’s funding comes from Congress:

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.

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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.