Cool ideas help animals beat the heat in zoos

Cooling-off measures have been introduced at safari parks across China, especially in cities with high temperatures, to help animals survive the summer heat.

At the Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park, home to the world's only giant panda triplets, giant pandas have tried traditional herbal tea and custom-made ice cream and cake while sleeping on blocks of ice — so-called ice-beds — to beat the heat.

Inside the giant panda enclosure, the park in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, has also installed air conditioning and electric fans to provide cool air for the animals.

"During the hot summer days, we provide customized cooling measures for the animals, from food and drink to play and living environments," said Chen Shuqing, a conservation expert at the park.

In addition to blocks of ice and air conditioning, the park has created a summer retreat, with sun umbrellas being installed to provide shelter for animals.

Inside the park, some areas have pools for the animals to bathe and cool down, while misting sprays not only help in cooling but also create a magical atmosphere.

During the scorching summer days, playing in the water becomes an essential way for animals to cool off, Chen said.

At the park, young tigers jump into a pool, frolicking with their playmates. The white rhinos leisurely roll in the mud, creating their own mud "sunscreen".

"White rhinos do not have fur that provides protection to their skin," Chen said. "By playing in the mud and covering themselves with mud, they can cool off and shield their skin from sunburn."

To prevent heatstroke among the animals, the park's conservation team has also prepared watermelons and typical Guangdong-style herbal teas, which have cooling and detoxifying effects for animals.

"Additionally, we have increased the amount of juicy fruits and vegetables, as well as ice cubes, in the animals' daily diet to meet their summer needs for hydration and electrolyte replenishment," Chen said.

On Monday, which marked the "major heat", or dashu, in China's traditional 24 solar terms, Guangzhou's temperature reached nearly 35 C, while in Wuhan, Hubei province, it reached 37 C.

At the Wuhan Zoo in Wuhan, cooling equipment such as central air conditioning and misting devices have been installed in enclosures.

At the 1,400-square-meter giant panda pavilion, six sets of central air conditioning units have been operational since May, with refrigerators in the feeding area storing fresh bamboo shoots.

The temperature at the pavilion needs to be kept below 25 C to ensure that the giant pandas are happy, according to the zoo.

Contact the writers at qiuquanlin@chinadaily.com.cn