Oct 12, 2025 - Business

Smithsonian museums and National Zoo close as shutdown persists

Rebecca Falconer

A sign with a notice of closure, citing the government shutdown, is seen pinned on the fence to the National Zoo on October 12, 2025 in Washington, DC. — The closed National Zoo in Washington, D.C., on Sunday. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo closed Sunday due to the government shutdown, with their websites urging visitors to check back for updates on when they'll reopen.

The big picture: All of the Smithsonian's institutions, including its research centers, 21 museums and the National Zoo, are affected by the temporary closure. The zoo emphasized on its site that its beloved pandas and other animals "will continue to be fed and cared for."

The Smithsonian had used funds from previous years to remain open in the days after the shutdown took effect on Oct. 1.

Between the lines: The panda cam and all other live animal feeds will not broadcast during the shutdown.

"The cams require federal resources, primarily staff, to run and broadcast. They are deemed non-essential," the zoo said on its site's government shutdown FAQs page.

What we're watching: The closures are set to remain in place until Republicans and Democrats resolve the shutdown standoff on Capitol Hill, and there were no immediate signs of a deal as of Sunday evening.

Go deeper: The government shutdown fight, explained by two polls

Add Axios on Google

Smithsonian museums and National Zoo close as shutdown persists

What to read next