Pandas and politics − from World War II to the Cold War, zoos have always been ideological

President Donald Trump has issued numerous executive orders and decisions that seek to change various aspects of government policy, including immigration and arts center control. However, the administration has not yet addressed issues related to zoos. This might change following an executive order issued by Trump on March 27, 2025, aiming to restore accuracy and rationality at federal historical sites. The order targets the Smithsonian Institution, including the National Zoo, to root out what Trump deems as “improper ideology.” Critics have mocked this move, with some likening it to authoritarian behavior. Zoos have a history of being used for ideological purposes, often reflecting political and societal beliefs. During wartime, zoos were influenced by government ideologies, as seen in World War II examples in North America, the British Empire, and authoritarian regimes like Hitler’s Germany and wartime Japan. The Cold War era also saw zoos being viewed through an ideological lens, exemplified by the symbolism attached to the Berlin zoos. The importation of giant pandas from China to the U.S. during this period also carried ideological significance.