Slogging through the Shutdown

Early this year, when DOGE was plowing full-steam ahead with Elon Musk's plan to slash the federal government, I remember turning to a colleague and saying, "I have a feeling that we're all about to get a sudden reminder about what it is the federal government actually does."  Sure enough, in the months since, delayed services, reduced responses, halted communications, and slashed efficiency have been the legacy of DOGE.  

None of which, of course, has been helped by the government shutdown, now slogging into its fifth week with no signs of stopping.  While the temporary closure of the National Zoo (resulting in its keepers working without pay as they strive to keep the facility running and animals cared for) might be the most public-facing evidence of the impact on zoos, there have been many others, not as visible to the public but still very significant.  

Your vets are worried about avian influenza during fall migration?  They rely in part on USDA for coordination.  Your registrar submitted permits to move animals across international lines?  What is already a long, time-consuming process just froze in its tracks.  Conservation team working with FWS to reintroduce a species?  Good luck with that.

Zoos, like pretty much every aspect of society, work best when we have a functioning, open government.  Hopefully we get there again soon...