The National Zoo's New Pandas Delight in D.C.'s Snowfall Before Making Public Debut

Mar. 15, 2025

What’s black and white and frosted all over? A panda rolling through the snow!On Monday, Jan. 6,the Smithsonian’s National Zooin 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 toFox 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 afterthe 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.Panda in the snow at the National Zoo in Washington D.C.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 theircaption for the moment on XandFacebook.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto 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@Smithsonianon Friday, Jan. 24.“A panda walking through the snow at the National Zoo on Jan. 6.Smithsonian’s National Zoo via CNN NewsourceBetween 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 NewsourceThe 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 zoowrote on Xwhile 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.”

What’s black and white and frosted all over? A panda rolling through the snow!

On Monday, Jan. 6,the Smithsonian’s National Zooin 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 toFox 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 afterthe 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.

Panda in the snow at the National Zoo in Washington D.C.Smithsonian’s National Zoo via CNN Newsource

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 theircaption for the moment on XandFacebook.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto 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@Smithsonianon Friday, Jan. 24.”

A panda walking through the snow at the National Zoo on Jan. 6.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!

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 zoowrote on Xwhile 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.”

source: people.com