Gender equity, DEI, climate action: How the Smithsonian’s woke push ‘infiltrated’ America's most beloved Zoo

National Zoo Navigates Debate Over Diversity and Conservation Messaging

The Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., has found itself at the center of a political firestorm as the Trump administration pushes federal institutions to eliminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

The zoo, which welcomes approximately 2 million visitors annually and conducts conservation research across more than 40 countries, has maintained that diversity and inclusion are foundational to its operations. A 2023 Smithsonian Diversity and Inclusion Initiatives Report explicitly states these principles are "integral to all aspects of the Smithsonian Institution's operations and key components of the Smithsonian Strategic Plan."

In January 2025, the Smithsonian announced it would eliminate its Office of Diversity in compliance with administration directives. However, several staff profiles and program descriptions on the zoo's website continue to reference diversity initiatives, and the zoo's advisory board includes members whose bios highlight work in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

The zoo's annual International Family Equality Day, hosted since 2018, has featured outreach to LGBTQ families with animal encounters, keeper talks, and rainbow-themed animal enrichment. The event expanded in 2024 to include partnerships with organizations including the DC Center for the LGBTQ Community, SMYAL, Rainbow Families, and Brave Trails.

Conservation programming has also incorporated discussions of equity and climate change. A 2021 article on the zoo's website, written by seabird ecologist Autumn-Lynn Harrison and coral biologist Mary Hagedorn, argued that addressing global health and education inequities could bolster climate action.

"Diversity and inclusion are integral to all aspects of the Smithsonian Institution's operations," the 2023 report stated.

Curator Craig Saffoe, who oversees large carnivores at the zoo, wrote in a 2021 Smithsonian Magazine article that he launched the Association of Minority Zoo and Aquarium Professionals to address the lack of racial diversity in the field.

"After years of thinking about what I could do to try to address this situation, I finally decided to, as my mother told me growing up, 'stop talking about it, and be about it,'" Saffoe wrote.

The zoo also participates in programs through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which requires member institutions to maintain accessible, welcoming cultures. AZA's website states that DEI is "embedded in everything we do" and that the organization is "committed to positive and sustained change" to address systemic barriers.

The zoo's Great Plains Science Program lists inclusion among its core values, pledging to create pathways for underrepresented groups to participate in conservation work. Director Brandie Smith previously served as AZA's vice president of animal conservation.

Critics argue the messaging diverts attention from the zoo's core mission.

"Americans visit zoos to learn about conservation efforts and admire animals, not to be shamed or feel guilt-ridden," said Gabriella Hoffman, director of the Independent Women's Forum Center for Energy and Conservation. "Conservation has, sadly, been infiltrated by elements of DEI, ESG, and climate alarmism. This invites confusion and division into a space that should be science-first."

Jason Hayes, a senior research fellow with the Heritage Foundation's Center for Energy, Climate, and Environment, suggested that ideological priorities can interfere with species management.

"Zoos have a primary mission of conservation and species management, habitat management," Hayes said. "When ideologies, or at least science that is in question, start to take over and really rule the management of an organization like the zoo, then you start to have problems."

Hoffman warned that pandering to activist agendas could ultimately harm wildlife.

"The Smithsonian Zoo shouldn't alienate visitors with political lectures and empty platitudes," she said. "The zoo should stick to showcasing pandas, not pandering to radicals."

The zoo's statement emphasized its educational and conservation role.

"The Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute is the Nation's Zoo—a place where people can experience wildlife, learn about the natural world and see conservation in action," a spokesperson said. "The Zoo connects millions of people with wildlife while advancing a global mission to save species."