Playful pandas slide and somersault after snow falls at the National Zoo

This is the heartwarming moment a pair of giant pandas slide down a snow covered hill and raise their arms in excitement.

Footage captured at Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington D.C. shows 22-year-old female giant panda Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, a 23-year-old adult male giant panda, revel in the snow. 

The pandas, who were both born in China, lie flat on their backs as they slide downhill and soak in the snow.

One of pandas lies flat on their back as they slide down a snow covered hill at Smithsonian’s National Zoo in Washington D.C 

During the clip, which was shared on the zoo’s Facebook page, one of the pandas lies on their back and raises their arms in the air as they slide down the snow covered hill.

Elsewhere, another panda performs somersaults and rolls around in the snow before getting back up and shaking the snow off their fur.  

A message on the zoo’s social media page read: ‘Slides, somersaults and pure panda joy. 

‘Happy snow day from giant pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian! #SnowDay #PandaStory #NatZooZen.’ 

Following the comical scenes, social media users shared their praise for the heartwarming clip. 

The panda raises its arms in the arm and slide down the hill at the zoo in Washington D.C.

The panda climbs back up the hill before sliding back down again as they enjoy their snow day 

Social media users shared their praise for the clip, with one stating the scenes had ‘made their day’

One user wrote: ‘This made my day!!! Thank you for posting!!!’

While another wrote: ‘The pandas have made my day! That was wonderful watching them play in the snow. Love pandas.’

Another person commented: ‘With so much stress in this world it is wonderful to see something that makes me smile.’

Elsewhere another added: ‘Ohhh (sic) wish I could be a panda and just enjoy snow day like that!’