National Zoo To Reopen On Wednesday After Bomb Threat Evacuation (Updated)

Animal lovers in DC are breathing a sigh of relief after a bomb threat called into the National Zoo was deemed to be unfounded on Tuesday afternoon.

The National Zoo in DC.
Photo Credit: *Wikimedia Commons/Quadell*

Zak Failla

08/29/2023 3:05 p.m.

The Zoo was evacuated at approximately 12:30 p.m. and closed on Aug. 29 after there was a reported threat emailed to officials, prompting an extensive investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department.

At approximately 2:45 p.m. on Tuesday, the Zoo announced that a sweep of the property by the department's Explosive Ordinance Disposal Squad found no evidence of a credible threat, though the facility will remain closed for the day.

It is scheduled to reopen at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30.

Officials said that any guests who were forced to evacuate may return to the Connecticut Avenue pedestrian or vehicle entrances to retrieve their cars from the parking lot.

As a precaution, officials said that all visitors were evacuated, though all other Smithsonian museums remained open on Tuesday.

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