National Zoo Panda Cam Goes Dark, a Victim of Government Shutdown

Users took to Twitter Tuesday to mourn the loss of one very cute victim of the government shutdown: the Smithsonian National Zoo's "panda cam."

The beloved panda cam, which is federally funded, went dark Tuesday after Congress failed to pass a spending bill, leading to a partial government shutdown. All Smithsonian programs deemed "nonessential" were halted, including the Washington, D.C.-based zoo and its museums, according to CNN Money.

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During a #shutdown, all vehicle, pedestrian & bike paths into the Zoo will be closed. None of our live animal cams will be broadcast.

— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) September 30, 2013

The panda cam gives viewers a live feed of the zoo's endangered giant pandas — Tian Tian, Mei Xiang, and an unnamed newborn cub.

News of the panda cam blackout spread rapidly on Twitter.

THE NATIONAL ZOO PANDA CAM IS DOWN. THATS THE LAST STRAW AMERICA. WHY ARE YOU DESTROYING EVERYTHING I ONCE HELD DEAR???

— Jack Brown (@JackBrown1337) October 1, 2013

It's gotten so bad that the Panda cam has been turned off. #governmentshutdown

— Mark Del Monaco (@delmonxc) October 1, 2013

What do you mean I can't watch the National Zoo's Panda Cam??? #shutdown

— Lian Weiland (@mamatwita) October 1, 2013

no panda cam :(

— Kailey Zieschang (@KaileyCHANG) October 1, 2013

The #shutdown is not only affecting the financial stability of 800K Americans, but also anyone watching the @NationalZoo panda cam.

— Dean DeChiaro (@DeanDeChiaro) October 1, 2013

Biggest problem with the #governmentshutdown is that I can't watch the #pandacam because the @smithsonian zoo is closed :(

— Kathryn Cleary (@MooseKathryn) October 1, 2013

WTF congress you turned off the panda cam!!!!!

— Jordan Godwin (@OhMy_Godwin) October 1, 2013

Not even pandas are safe from shutdown as 'Panda cam' goes dark http://t.co/HuplBQuNvV via @CNNMoney

— Darrell West (@darrwest) October 1, 2013

The National Zoo assured everyone, however, that the pandas will still be taken care of during the shutdown.

All animals will continue to be fed & cared for. A #shutdown won't affect our commitment to the safety of staff & excellence in animal care.

— National Zoo (@NationalZoo) October 1, 2013

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