Florida Zoo protects its animals from the heat

Malayan tigers and Aldabra tortoises are native to warm, humid lands, but that doesn’t mean they can’t enjoy an icy treat on a hot Florida summer day.

Temperatures in South Florida this month have reached the mid-30s Celsius with humidity reaching 70%, combining to produce temperatures that regularly exceed 38 degrees.

The staff at Palm Beach Zoo & Conservation Society use a variety of techniques to keep their animals cool. Zookeepers throw large chunks of ice into the black bear enclosure for the animals to bask in, cooling the pool to 23 degrees Celsius.

Blocks of ice and frozen fish are thrown into the water for otters to play with and eat.

Tigers feast on more inventive treats: they are given cow bones frozen inside blocks of ice, along with a side of frozen goat’s milk. The big cats also like to swim.

Giant tortoises, native to islands in the Indian Ocean, enjoy cold showers from a hose, which they can feel through their shells.

“While all of our animals are acclimated to South Florida’s climate, they look for ways to cool off during hot days, just like we do,” said Mike Terrell, the zoo’s curator of animal experiences.

“All the animals we have here at the zoo were specifically chosen because they are used to warm climates. And so they are totally happy in an environment with a lot of heat and a lot of humidity.”

Zoo visitors love watching the animals cool off, and children press their faces against the glass to get a better look, Terrell said.

Figuring out which refreshing activities animals enjoy takes some trial and error, she said.

“They actually tell us what they like,” Terrell said. “We can make our best guess, but if we give them something they don’t like or interact with, we don’t give it to them anymore.”

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