Government shutdown causes a real Boo at the Zoo

The National Zoo’s annual event, Boo at the Zoo, has a new meaning this year.

It took until day 11 of the federal government shutdown before the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo in D.C. had to shut their doors and gates to the public for the last time.

They both were using last year’s funds to stay open during the shutdown.

The line to pull into the parking lot of the National Zoo was backed up on Connecticut Avenue on Saturday, as both tourists and locals attempted to get one last peak at their favorite animals.

Eight-year-old Molly was posing by the massive letters spelling out zoo while her mother took pictures.

“I saw pandas, I saw the sloth bear, and I went into the big ape house,” said Molly. “My mom said we can get ice cream.”

Molly and her mother Bettina were visiting