Vienna's Pandas Embrace Winter with Snowy Playtime at Schönbrunn Zoo
Vienna's Schönbrunn Zoo Pandas Delight in Winter Weather
The two pandas at Vienna's Schönbrunn Zoo are making the most of the wintry conditions, reveling in the snow and cold—conditions that remind them of their natural habitat in China and bring out their playful side.
"The current weather mirrors that of the mountainous forests in China, making it ideal for giant pandas," said zoo director Stephan Hering-Hagenbeck on Monday. "With a bit of luck, visitors might catch them frolicking energetically in the snow on their respective enclosures."
Schönbrunn's Pandas Thrive in Vienna's Snow and Cold
Gone is the pandas' usual leisurely routine of eating and sleeping—on a snowy winter's day, the pair can be seen climbing tree trunks and rolling in the snow. Their thick fur keeps them warm, and their paws are even covered in fur on the soles, preventing slips on ice and snow, explained zoological curator Eveline Dungl.
Their stocky build and relatively short limbs also help minimize heat loss, a crucial adaptation in their natural habitat: the mountainous forests of southeastern China.
(APA/Red)
