Seattle isn’t exactly known for heavy snowfall, but when the rare snow day does arrive, it tends to bring out the playful side of everyone—even the animals. This week, as snow blanketed the city and surrounding areas, Woodland Park Zoo captured a heartwarming and unexpected moment that quickly went viral: one of their resident grizzly bears making snow angels.
The star of the show was Keema, a 900-pound grizzly bear who has lived at the zoo for over two decades. As snow fell steadily over the region, zookeepers noticed Keema acting unusually excited. He lumbered out into the open, sniffed the fresh snow, and then did something that left both staff and visitors laughing in delight—he flopped onto his back and began wiggling side to side, sweeping his massive limbs through the snow like a child on a winter playground.
It wasn’t long before video footage of Keema’s snow angel moment hit social media. The clip, showing his furry form swishing through the snow with a contented grin on his face, has been viewed millions of times and shared across platforms with captions like “Best snow angel ever!” and “This is the Seattle energy we needed.”
According to zookeepers, this wasn’t Keema’s first experience with snow, but it was definitely the most animated they’ve ever seen him. “He absolutely loves the snow,” said Lisa Rodriguez, one of his primary caretakers. “Whenever we get a good snowfall, he perks up and gets playful. But this was the first time we’ve seen him make a full snow angel.”
The video has done more than just entertain—it’s sparked conversations about wildlife enrichment and the emotional lives of animals. Bears in the wild experience all types of weather, including snow, and zoo staff go to great lengths to provide environments that simulate natural experiences. Snow days are not only fun for animals like Keema, but also serve as vital enrichment, helping to keep them mentally and physically stimulated.
For Seattleites, who are used to rain but not several inches of fresh powder, this grizzly bear’s antics brought much-needed joy. Many residents were stuck indoors or navigating difficult driving conditions, but seeing a 900-pound bear roll around like a giddy toddler reminded everyone to take a moment to enjoy the beauty and whimsy of the season.
Woodland Park Zoo has embraced the attention, sharing more behind-the-scenes footage of their animals reacting to the snow—penguins waddling through frosty patches, wolves sniffing the frozen air, and mountain goats leaping from snow-covered rocks.
As for Keema, he’s likely unaware of his newfound internet fame. But with more snow in the forecast, visitors and fans alike will be watching closely, hoping to catch another glimpse of the city’s most lovable snow angel.
