Meat lollies, frozen fruit and paddling pools are being used to keep exotic animals cool this heatwave
At Ark Wildlife Park, different methods are being used to keep some of the less exotic animals cool during the heat today
Today’s temperatures could reach 38 degrees, and with much of the country feeling the heat, the animals at ARK Wildlife Park are also feeling the warmth.
The owners Jamie Mintram and his wife Michelle Mintram have decided to look for different methods to help keep the exotic locals cool.
“It doesn’t matter what the weather, they still need feeding, they still need cleaning out.”
Ark Wildlife Park are a refuge for unwanted, abandoned, and unloved exotic animals.
Having started by collecting unwanted reptilians Jamie soon found that he had many exotic animals such as Rhesus Macaques monkeys, a Morelet's Crocodile, and a Tanzanian Red Claw Scorpion.
Jamie and his wife have prepared frozen fruits, cordial ice lollies and blood-sickles for the animals to help cool them down during the increase in heat.
Some of the animals are expected to feel the heat more than others, for instance the meerkats at the park will be basking in the sunlight as they enjoy the hot weather, whereas the arctic foxes and the Tanuki’s (Japanese Raccoon Dog) are unlikely to appear in the sun.
Jamie says that he expects footfall to be low as he believes many people know the animals won’t come out in the hot weather, he suggests a dull, bland day is the best to visit zoos.
Alongside the lollies, the owners have also decided to use buckets and sand boxes as paddling pools for the bobcat, and Eurasian Lynx.
Another method that will be used, is wrapping a frozen bottle in a towel for the rabbits and Guinea pigs, as they will gravitate towards the colder area.
Jamie Mintam says that the animals love what we love, what any human would do in the heat, we are replicating that as best as possible:
“Well obviously, with a lot of our animals being exotics, they do tend to come from warm and exotic climes, so tings like the meerkats are actually loving this hot weather. But we do have to, just as we have to look after ourselves, have to keep an eye on the animals and make sure they stay nice and cool.
“So, they’ve always got access to shade, fresh water and we’re doing some extra special activities over the next few days, including paddling pools and lollipops to make sure none of our guys overheat.”