Bristol animals given ice lollies
Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm has found a unique way to keep its animals cool
Last updated 21st Jul 2021
Animals at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm near Bristol have been given home-made ice lollies to keep them cool in the hot weather.
Bactrian camels have been enjoying smashed sweet potato flavour, while the gibbons were treated to a banana flavour.
Keeper Jo Thrower said “Our gibbons typically have a healthy fruit free diet, so it is a wonderful treat to give them during the recent heatwave".
Each lolly has one teaspoon of mashed banana, and bamboo sticks are used for the handles.
She added “We do our best to cater the flavour to each species. The primates have also been offered frozen whole vegetables to help keep them cool during these high temperatures.”
Other animals have been enjoying showers across the zoo. African elephants have them built in to their enclosure, along with an outdoor pool, while the emus and the ostriches have been given a soak by staff.
Although these animals may not be used to English heatwaves, their ancestors are used to hot weather in their native territories.
Ostriches will typically roam the African savanna and desert lands, while Bactrian camels can be found in central and east Asia’s rocky deserts.
Siamang gibbons are only found in the rainforests of Malaysia, Thailand and Sumatra. They are also classified as Endangered on the IUCN red list.