The red panda exhibit!
At this moment, the exhibit was covered in a layer of soft white snow, like a pristine white blanket.
Hawthorn's white eyebrows furrowed inward, giving it an unhappy look, with its round, chubby face drooping.
If a human were to walk around with a perpetually furrowed brow, looking unhappy, gloomy, and serious, people around them would likely feel that person exudes too much negative energy, isn't easy to get along with, and might even think they're a troublemaker to avoid.
However, in the case of the adorable red panda, this distinctive unhappy face actually attracted many fans to Hawthorn!
Perhaps it's a kind of charming contrast.
From its actions, it was clear that it was actually quite curious and intrigued by the snowy world!
It took a small step forward with its short legs.
Watching its paw sink into the soft snow, it lowered its head to observe this phenomenon.
It lifted both paws together, sinking them into the snow again, and remained still for a while, seemingly lost in thought!
Hmm, what is this stuff? Why do my paws disappear when I step into it? So fascinating!
Lifting its head, it pulled its front paws out of the snow, kicked off with its back legs, and the light yellow furball began hopping around in the snow, looking very joyful!
Hawthorn and Brown Sugar, the two cubs, had fur colors that were still much lighter than their parents, and because they were walking in the snow, they were dusted with a thin layer of snowflakes, making them appear even whiter.
Because they were so young and not very strong, hopping around in the snow took quite a bit of effort, and after a few jumps, their movements became uncoordinated.
Their fluffy tails swayed, but they couldn't maintain their balance and ended up sitting crookedly in the snow.
Sitting in the snow, they didn't rush to get up.
Their upper bodies leaned forward, and their front paws gently patted the snow.
Was it you who tripped me just now? You naughty thing!
Their paws dug into the snow, and when they pulled them out, they brought up a flurry of snowflakes, creating a small snow hole underneath!
Hawthorn curiously looked at the snow hole and tried the same action again, gently digging out a bit more snow.
After two more digs, seeing the snow hole getting deeper, it became excited!
It buried its head into the snow hole it had dug, paws "piapia" patting the snow hole.
Take that!
It collapsed the snow hole and then joyfully jumped up, scattering a nearby snow pile about the size of its head, like a small fortress.
The soft snowflakes, unlike the usual soft grass, hard stones, or tree trunks, had a different texture!
Playing with them felt very fresh.
A gentle touch could change the state of the snow, shaping or destroying it.
For the newborn cubs, there was no better toy!
Rain Palace Xin and Anzi, watching this scene, had stars in their eyes and exclaimed in unison, "Kawaii!"
Visitors outside watching the red pandas play in the snow couldn't help but laugh, saying, "Red pandas really love the snow!"
"The little ones are having so much fun!"
"Hehe, they're too cute!"
"Watching them play in the snow reminds me of playing with mud in the garden when I was a kid! Building little hills, digging tunnels, and filling them with water, having a blast."
Hawthorn destroyed the small snow hill, rolled happily in the snow, and ended up looking like it was covered in a layer of white frosting!
It got up and hopped away, leaving behind a round, chubby butt.
At this moment, Guan Shan and another keeper entered the activity area!
Wearing gloves, they carried some fresh bamboo and apple slices.
They placed the bamboo on the perches and buried the apple slices in the snow.
In this snowy environment, foraging would be more challenging!
Finding the apples buried under the snow would require better use of their sense of smell, which also served as good training for the red pandas.
As Guan Shan placed the bamboo on the perches, Red Bean ran toward her.
Brown Sugar followed behind Red Bean, hesitating to approach, tilting its head to watch its mother from a distance.
When Red Bean reached Guan Shan's feet, it stood up and sniffed at her pocket!
It seemed to smell something delicious and looked up at her eagerly.
I want an apple, give it to me!
"Go away, don't cause trouble."
Guan Shan squatted down and lifted Red Bean from under its arms.
Red Bean turned its head, trying to bite Guan Shan's hand, but she grabbed its tail and tossed it forward!
This didn't dampen Red Bean's enthusiasm at all. It ran back and, without hesitation, climbed onto Guan Shan's leg, clinging to it like a tree trunk and trying to climb up.
Guan Shan pulled it off and started digging in the snow with her hands!
Snowflakes scattered onto Red Bean's head, and at first, it stood its ground, but soon the snow overwhelmed it, covering its head and turning it into a little white panda.
"Wow, how could you be so harsh on such a cute little red panda!"
"Ah, I wish I had a red panda clinging to me while I worked!"
"I want a dozen of these little attachments!"
"I wish I could play with them, but it's just a dream!"
Rain Palace Xin found it amusing but was also curious!
Wouldn't lifting a red panda by its tail hurt it? But Linhai Zoo must be very professional!
She planned to ask the keeper about it later.
Red Bean ran to the side, shaking its head vigorously to shake off the snow.
Guan Shan watched with a smile, bending down to brush the snow off Red Bean's body.
After placing the food on the perches, she headed back to the shelter, but the playful red pandas tried to sneak out one by one.
Guan Shan picked up Red Bean and tossed it back, distracting it with an apple slice. Meanwhile, Brown Sugar had sneaked in from her feet, peeking around.
Hmm, where's Mom? Where did Mom go?
She tossed Brown Sugar out, but then Hawthorn ran in!
Guan Shan, exasperated, picked up the mischievous Hawthorn and threw it into the snow outside.
Taking advantage of Hawthorn's moment of confusion, she quickly closed the door.
By the time Hawthorn regained its senses and found its bearings, the door was already closed!
It stood up and scratched at the door, realizing it couldn't get in, then turned and ran off to play with Chestnut.
"Hahaha!"
"They're just too cute!"
Visitors watching this amusing scene couldn't help but laugh.
When Guan Shan came out of the shelter, Rain Palace Xin quickly approached her with a question: "Hello, I saw you lifting the red panda by its tail just now. Doesn't it feel uncomfortable for them?"
Guan Shan explained, "We generally have two ways to handle red pandas. One is to lift them by the scruff of the neck, but this is only suitable for cubs. Red pandas have very flexible bodies, and as they grow, they can turn around and grab your hand.
The other way is to lift them by the tail! An adult red panda's tail is very sturdy, and lifting them by the tail doesn't cause discomfort, though it may look pitiful. However, you can't do this with cats or dogs."