Smithsonian Shutdown: Panda Drama, No Cute Cameras Allowed
On October 1, the Smithsonian museums and National Zoo slammed their doors tighter than your last group chat on a Sunday, thanks to the government shutdown starring Republicans vs. Democrats in Capitol Hill's ultimate standoff. All 21 museums, research centers, and even your beloved National Zooâs pandas â Bao Li Qing Bao, yes, those names â are officially ghosting visitors. But donât worry, the pandas are still getting dinner because animal welfare beats human entertainment. Oh, and the panda cam? Totally nixed because streaming sleepy bears requires 'federal resources' and staff, labeled 'non-essential,' which in government-speak means 'not on anyone's Netflix watchlist.' Get ready for a bored, cam-less panda stare-down until Congress figures it out.
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Pandas still eat, but you canât watch them because streaming sleepy bears isnât an 'essential federal resource.' Welcome to shutdown America: where politicians argue and pandas star in an exclusive silent film.
The Smithsonian shutdown proves even pandas get VIP treatmentâthey eat but canât stream, unlike Congress who livestreams chaos 24/7 for free.
Congress: shutting down museums and panda cams because apparently, feeding bears is more important than showing them sleep for your dopamine fix.
Source: Axios | Published: 10/12/2025 | Author: Rebecca Falconer
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