Panda Bao Li eats bamboo at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., on January 28. The zoo, along with other Smithsonian facilities, will be closed starting Oct. 12 as government measures continue.
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Since the government shutdown stretchesThe Smithsonian Institution, the National Zoo and other facilities became the latest to get caught in the fray, with the federal foundation announcing the closure of all its facilities starting Sunday.
“We will update our operational status as soon as the situation is resolved,” the company said. Smithsonian Institution announced on social networks. “We have no plans to update social media other than to inform you of changes in our work status.”
The closure will affect all 21 Smithsonian museums, its research centers and the National Zoo.
As concerned social media users raised concerns about the welfare of the zoo's animals, the Smithsonian assured its supporters that the animals would continue to be cared for during the zoo's closure.
“All animals at the Zoo and the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia will continue to be fed and cared for.” Smithsonian said. “The closure will not impact our commitment to the safety of our staff and animal care standards.”
Zoo pet animal camerashowever, they are considered non-essential and will be disabled until the end of the shutdown.
The Smithsonian receives about 62% of its funding from the federal government, which helps support Free admission to all DC museums and the National Zoo.
His businesses were able to keep their doors open for the first 11 days after the shutdown by relying on previous year fundsbut since then this treasury has dried up.
The Smithsonian Institution is just the latest organization to become embroiled in an ongoing dispute over government funding.
Some national parks across the country were also forced to close as staff were deemed unnecessary and sent home until Congress could reach an agreement on government funding.
On Friday, thousands of federal employees at agencies including the Department of Health and Human Services and the Department of Education began receiving decrease in strength notices informing them that they will be fired.
