For those of us who have very stressful jobs and need something to look at after work, lest we lose it completely, viewing the National Zoo’s panda cam is a welcome – nay, necessary – part of the day. It has been especially enjoyable since the arrival of a cub in August.

But as the City Paper reported yesterday, the fate of the Ford-funded panda cam is up in the air if the federal government shuts down next week.

[Smithsonian spokeswoman Linda] St. Thomas says the Panda Cam is run by volunteers and that the people in charge of what stays and what goes amid a government shutdown have not made an official determination on the matter. “They have not decided on the Panda Cam,” she says.

DCist reached out to the National Zoo to ask if Mayor Vince Gray’s declaration that the D.C. government will continue functioning, even if the federal government shuts down, will affect the panda cam decision. But we have yet to hear back. In the meantime, enjoy this video of Butterstick trying to sit up. It may have to get you through the near-future.

Update: Here’s what National Zoo spokeswoman Pamela Baker-Masson said about a possible panda cam shutdown.

The Zoo, following Smithsonian Institute guidance and up the chain, is the in process of putting together all our plans for potential government shutdown. Managing the panda cam requires staff/volunteers. We don’t have final word yet on exactly who will be permitted on site should we be closed. The panda house will definitely be closed. Be patient with us as we work through the various scenarios. We’ll issue a statement as soon as we are totally clear. We don’t want to put out any misinformation. Everything on this topic of government shutdown is evolving quickly.