A family looks on as authorities react to a chemical scare at the Smithsonian National Zoo on Monday. Andrea Mayeaux/Medill
WASHINGTON — Two buildings at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo closed Monday afternoon because of a brief chemical scare.
Employees evacuated the Reptile Discovery Center and the Small Mammal House around 2:45 p.m. after a man “deposited a white, powdery substance with small glass pieces” mixed in, said zoo spokeswoman Pamela Baker-Masson.
Baker-Masson said a private citizen informed the zoo of the situation. A visitor who was in the building at the time said was rushed out of the reptile building by zoo workers and did not see the man who allegedly scattered the powder.
Fire and police departments roped off the area around the reptile building as officers investigated. The area was cleared about an hour after the incident was reported. The man suspected of depositing the powder was taken into Metro police custody, said Baker-Masson.
The reptile and small mammal buildings remained closed through the afternoon for cleanup. Baker-Masson said no visitor, employee or animal was hurt during the incident.