Bearly awake! Adorable giant panda lets out a huge yawn at snow-covered zoo in China before visitors flock to see the popular attraction

 They're much loved for their cute appearance and laid back attitude. 

And this giant panda ticked both boxes as it played in the snow at Hongshan Forest Zoo in Nanjing, eastern China. It was pictured yawning and chewing on a piece of bamboo in its enclosure on Tuesday. 

They're much loved for their cute appearance and laid back attitude. And this giant panda ticked both boxes as it played in the snow at Hongshan Forest Zoo in Nanjing, eastern China

In one snap, the black and white bear lay on its back with all paws in the air, while in another it appeared to stare at the person taking its photograph. 

The giant panda is one of nearly 700 living in captivity across the world, according to last year's figure. 

In the wild, there are a further 1,800 giant pandas and their numbers have climbed significantly in recent years after conservation efforts. 

It was pictured yawning and chewing on a piece of bamboo in its enclosure on Tuesday

In one snap, the black and white bear lay on its back with all paws in the air, while in another it appeared to stare at the person taking its photograph

It means that the species is no longer considered endangered. 

Last year, Hongshan Forest Zoo asked the public for donations to 'adopt' their animals to help pay employees' salaries after the establishment's revenues plummeted as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.  

According to state newspaper the Global Times, the zoo organised live streams of the animals in their enclosures when visitors were unable to see them in person.