Animals at Cotswold Wildlife Park keep cool

Keepers at Cotswold Wildlife Park at Burford have been helping to keep animals cool in the hot weather with everything from refreshing watermelon to frozen fruit lollies.

A penguin chick has also made a public debut heading out of its nest box straight for the sprinkler and plunging in the pool.

Chris Kibbey, Assistant Animal Manager at Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens:

"‘It’s hot, hot, hot here in the Cotswolds, and keepers have to be prepared to keep themselves and the animals under their care cool. As always, we ensure all animals have access to adequate shade and plenty of water, but with hot temperatures forecast, it also allows us to be a little inventive with our enrichment. The Lemurs were given frozen fruit popsicles made using ingredients from their normal diet – berries, pear and grapes which they enjoyed.

"Sometimes simply freezing an animals’ diet in an ice block provides a stimulating challenge for them, as was the case for our Tapirs Gomez and Lolita who devoured their melon, pear and banana frozen treat in no time. Watermelon is a delicious summer treat and perfect for our Meerkats who use their strong claws to break through the skin before using their snout and tongue to lap up the insides. For the first time, our Ring-tailed Lemur twins, born earlier this year, enjoyed their first taste of watermelon too".

First for all the latest news from across the UK every hour on Hits Radio on DAB, at hitsradio.co.uk and on the Rayo app.