No one is having a better snow day than the giant pandas at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo.
After a winter storm struck parts of the Northeast over the weekend, the Washington D.C. zoo’s family of giant pandas eagerly frolicked out into the winter wonderland on Monday — and they fell head of over heels (literally) in love with the snow.
“Slides, somersaults and pure panda joy. Happy snow day from giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian! 🌨🐾,” the zoo wrote alongside the sweet footage.
giant pandas.Smithsonian’s National Zoo/Youtube
The zoo also shared photos on Twitter and Instagram of more animals enjoying the winter weather, including 5-month-old giant panda cubXiao Qi Ji,who had his first encounter with snow on Monday.
“Keepers say he took a little nip at the fresh powder,” the zoo wrote of the meeting.
Xiao Qi Ji was born on Aug. 21 to Mei Xiang, who also gave birth to famous cubs Tai Shan, 15, Bao Bao, 7, andBei Bei, 5.
Last week, Xiao Qi Ji made hislivestream debutat Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. During the stream, which was open to all animal lovers, the National Zoo’s newest panda cub licked up a cooked sweet potato in front of his legions of online fans.
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Xiao Qi Ji.Smithsonian’s National Zoo
Giant panda curator Michael Brown-Palsgrove previously said that Xiao Qi is currently 22 pounds and has about 230 to go. He is still nursing for most of his nutritional needs but is exploring new foods, and is also less dependent on mom Mei Xiang in other ways.
“He can get himself places,” said Brown-Palsgrove. “He knows where she’s at. He doesn’t need to call her.”
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is currently closeddue to the COVID-19 pandemic.
source: people.com
