Ice lollies for lemurs as warm spell hits Sussex wildlife park
The creatures have been given extra help to cool down
Zookeepers a Sussex wildlife park have been finding new and creative ways to keep their animals cool in the sun.
Animals such as lemurs, squirrel monkeys have been treated to special ice pops at Drusillas Park in Alfriston to help them cool down in temperatures which reached as high as 25 degrees Celsius over the bank holiday weekend.
Zookeepers have been pulling out all the stops to protect their animals from the heat by making sure they have access to as much water as they need and creating extra shaded areas to keep them out of the sun.
Many of the roasting residents have received food layered ice lollies created from some of their favourite fayre - fresh vegetables and herbs.
Head Keeper at Drusillas Park, Sophie Leadbitter, commented:
“Animals do not perspire in the same way as humans do, so we use the ice blocks to keep them comfortable in the heat. Ultimately, the animals are after the rewards hidden within, but as they grab at and break down the ice lollies to get the food, their mouths and paws are cooled.”
“Ice lollies are a great way to keep the animals cool, but they also serve an enrichment purpose as well. Making the animals work for their food in creative ways, helps to stimulate them mentally and physically and forces them to use their instincts to look for food as they would in the wild.”
Elsewhere in the zoo animals such as the flamingos have been combating the heat by walking around their waterfall, the capybaras and beavers have been taking long dips in their pool and the red pandas have been napping the day away in the shade of their trees.