Apandacub at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo enjoyed the first snowfall of the year in the most adorable way possible.
According to the zoo, this is a “new Xiao Qi Ji” compared to his first interaction with snow this time last year.
“❄️🐼 New year, new Xiao Qi Ji! In January 2021, our giant panda cub was a little wary during his first encounter with snow,” the zoo recalled in the caption. “This morning, the 16-month-old plowed face-first into the fresh powder, rolled around and relished the year’s first #SnowDay. His belly-sliding skills are 10/10! 🐾 . . . #PandaStory #DC #Snow”
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Smithsonian’s National Zoo
“❄️🐻🐘 Everyone is getting into the #SnowDay spirit!” the Smithsonian’s National Zoo captioned a second video. “At the Zoo in Washington, D.C., sloth bears Niko and Deemak had a wintry wrestle while American Bison Lucy and Gally and Asian elephant Swarna grazed peacefully. 🐆 At SCBI in Front Royal, VA, cheetah mom Rosalie and her cubs awoke to a snowy surprise!”
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Xiao Qi Ji made his arrival on Aug. 21, 2020, the zoo shared on itswebsite. Fans around the world helped pick his name, which means “little miracle” in Mandarin Chinese.
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He experienced his first encounter with snow on Jan. 31, 2021 — a moment the zoo made sure to capture.
“As the flakes were falling, the panda team brought Xiao Qi Ji out of the indoor enclosure to a snow-covered patio behind-the-scenes,” the national zoo shared at the time. “He seemed unsure about it at first and stood there for a moment to take it all in. Keeper Stacey Tabellario built him his own panda-cub-sized snowman. He sniffed it before taking a frosty bite. He explored the area for about five minutes before keepers took him back inside. Although his trip was a short one, he seemed to have a good time.”
source: people.com
