Smithsonian museums and National Zoo set to close as shutdown takes its toll

"The closure affects all of the Smithsonian's 21 museums, its research centers and the National Zoo. As worried social media users expressed concern about the well-being of the animals at the zoo, the Smithsonian assured its supporters that the animals would still be cared for during the zoo's closure. "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," the Smithsonian said."

"The Smithsonian receives about 62% of its funding from the federal government, which helps support free admission to all of its D.C. museums and the National Zoo. Its facilities had been able to keep their doors open for the first 11 days of the shutdown by relying on prior-year funds, but those coffers have since run dry. The Smithsonian is just the most recent entity to find itself ensnared in the ongoing dispute on government funding."

The Smithsonian announced closure of all 21 museums, its research centers and the National Zoo beginning Sunday because of the government shutdown. The institution said it will update operating status when the situation is resolved and will limit social media posts to status updates. Animal care at the Zoo and at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, will continue, but the zoo's animal cams are designated nonessential and will be turned off. The Smithsonian receives about 62% of its funding from the federal government and had used prior-year funds to stay open for 11 days; those coffers have now run dry. Other national parks and thousands of federal employees face closures and staffing reductions.

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