Animals at Whipsnade Zoo given icy treats to cope with hot weather
With the unusually hot weather this week, zookeepers at Whipsnade are feeding animals ice treats to help them cool down.
Last updated 6th Sep 2023
With the unusually hot weather, Whipsnade Zoo had to adapt quickly to ensure animals were able to cool down.
Pools have been filled in the elephants' enclosure, chimps have been given ice lollies, and ferrets were fed blood ice cubes.
Alex Setterfield, team leader of the domestic section at Whipsnade Zoo, said: "We've given them two different types of ice blocks; one which is plain water and was frozen last night, and one an ice block which they absolutely love."
As they are carnivorous, blood ice bocks enables the ferrets to get the nutrition they need, as well as keep their body temperature down.
It's the second time this year Bedfordshire is seeing temperatures rise above 30 degrees.
Although a lot of the species kept at the Zoo come from the other side of the world, including areas which experience much hotter weather all year long, the majority were either bred there to keep their population going, or have adapted to the British climate.
This is why some may struggle to cope when the weather is unexpectedly high.
Over with the birds, Tim Savage, who leads the team, said: "In their enclosures they have areas of shade where they can cool down."
But actually, Mr Savage told us the main worry isn't the animals' struggle to keep their body temperature down, but rather the confusion they can experience with a sudden change in the weather.
He said: "If it carries on for a long time, it can trigger them to breed, which is not ideal because it will inevitably get colder in coming months."
"This time of year they should be feeding up and relaxing after the breeding season."
The teams will keep an eye on the animals to ensure they are kept safe and looked after throughout this heatwave.