What’s black and white and frosted all over? A panda rolling through the snow!
On Monday, Jan. 6, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington D.C. shared a sweet video of its two new panda bears, Bao Li and Qing Bao, frolicking in the freshly fallen snow in their habitat.
Over six inches of snow blanketed the D.C. area on Jan. 6, according to Fox 5 DC, and more snow is expected on Tuesday, Jan. 7.
In the clip, the pandas twirl, slide, and roll through snow drifts in their closed-off habitat. Bao Li and Qing Bao, who arrived in October after the departure of the National Zoo’s previous pandas in Nov. 2023, have spent the past few months settling into their new home and are set to make their public debut on Friday, Jan. 24.
The duo appeared in great spirits as they pranced around in the winter weather and grabbed piles of flakes with their paws.
Smithsonian’s National Zoo via CNN Newsource
“Tumbling in a winter wonderland! This morning, about 5 inches of snow blanketed the Washington, D.C., area, including giant panda Bao Li and Qing Bao’s outdoor habitats,” the National Zoo wrote in their caption for the moment on X and Facebook.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The zoo added, “Flakes stuck to their fur as the bears frolicked and somersaulted. It was paws-itively the panda *snowment* of our dreams! The bear pair will make their public debut at the @Smithsonian on Friday, Jan. 24.”
Smithsonian’s National Zoo via CNN Newsource
Between Jan. 10 and Jan. 19, zoo members will get a sneak peek at the zoo’s panda exhibit, Bao Li, and Qing Bao before the habitat reopens to the public.
The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!
Smithsonian’s National Zoo via CNN Newsource
The National Zoo also announced on Monday that the Smithsonian museums and the zoo would be closed on Tuesday due to the wintery weather conditions in D.C.
“Due to the inclement weather, Smithsonian museums in the Washington, DC, area and the National Zoo are closed on Tuesday, Jan. 7. Stay safe!” the zoo wrote on X while sharing a photo of Bao Li in the snow. “Photo: Giant panda Bao Li eats bamboo in his snow-covered outdoor habitat on Jan. 6, 2025.”
Read the full article here
