BURST

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

Sat 2m read

Panda Bao Li eats bamboo at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., on Jan. 28. The zoo, as well as other Smithsonian facilities, will be closed beginning on Oct. 12 as the government shutdown continues.

The shutdown is forcing the closure of a number of America's beloved cultural institutions starting Sunday. Twenty-one Smithsonian museums, its research centers and the National Zoo are all affected.

(Image credit: Kayla Bartkowski)