(The Hill) -- The Smithsonian Institute announced Saturday that its museums will be closed starting Sunday as the lapse in government funding persists.

"Due to the government shutdown, Smithsonian museums are temporarily closed beginning on Sunday, Oct. 12, along with our research centers and the National Zoo," the organization wrote on the social platform X. "We will update our operating status as soon as the situation is resolved."

"We do not plan to update social media other than to inform you of changes to our operating status," the post continues. "While our doors are closed, Smithsonian digital resources continue to be available at http://si.edu."

The National Zoo posted a similar message, prompting questions from users on how the animals would be taken care of during the shutdown

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