Zoo animals in Sussex keep cool with ice lollies during heatwave
Drusillas Zookeepers have been pulling out all the stops to protect their animals from the heat.
A Zoo in Sussex are getting creative to make sure their animals are kept nice and cool during the warmer weather.
With the mercury hitting 26 degrees today at the Sussex attraction, Drusillas Zookeepers have been pulling out all the stops to protect their animals from the heat.
Ensuring they have access to plenty of water, offering refreshing showers, and serving up a range of tasty frozen treats to help residents cool off.
During hot weather, it’s important for zoos across the country to make sure their animals thrive in the heat. One way to do this is by providing additional water sources, such as sprinklers for the animals to bathe in – something resident giant anteater Raya particularly enjoys. Keepers also hose down some of the animal habitats to lower the temperature and ensure the animals stay relaxed and happy.
Zoo Section Leader, Jacinta Dawe, commented: “Some species at Drusillas really enjoy the heat and you’ll spot them sunbathing, for instance our lemurs; sun worshippers that love to stretch out and catch some rays. But other animals, like our red pandas, don’t enjoy the warm weather quite as much, so we lower the temperature in their habitats by spraying the area with a hose. This additional water provides extra moisture in the air and the tree canopy, replicating the panda’s natural environment and helping to keep them cool.”
She continued, “Other species, for example our giant anteater Raya, like to actively bathe to cool off. So, we create her very own shower for her in warm weather, which she absolutely loves!
"Her all-time favourite way to ‘chill’ is bathing in the anteater pool while being showered with water. We treated her to this today and she was thrilled, rolling around in " the water to show her appreciation! Bathing is also great for her skin and coat, and a fun enrichment activity, so it’s a fantastic experience for her all round.2