With temperatures soaring in the Texas Panhandle and not as much rain, the crew at the Amarillo Zoo and Sanctuary is kicking up their efforts to protect the animals they have and keeping them cool and happy.
According to Executive Director Stephanie Brady, “There isn’t one answer because every species is different. What works for a camel certainly isn’t the same thing that works for a macaw, bear, or monkey.”
Here are some actions that staff (and the animals themselves) are taking to beat the summer heat.
Parrots susceptible to heat, despite misconception
“Of course, fresh water is always available to our animals, but we also adjust their care as temperatures climb,” she said.
Even though some of the zoo’s animals are tropical species, that doesn’t mean they are able to stay outside in triple-digit weather, the director said.
“Once temperatures reach 95°F, our birds are brought indoors. There’s a common misconception that parrots — especially macaws — can handle extreme heat because we think of them as tropical birds. But high temperatures can be dangerous for them, so they head inside where it’s cooler.”
How the camels and bears deal with the heat
Brady said their camels handle the heat much better.
“One of their favorite ways to cool off is when our keepers wet down the ground so they can lie on the cool, damp soil,” she said. “They’re also known to skip the water trough altogether and drink straight from the hose.”
“The bears LOVE their pools and take full advantage of a good summer swim, while Sheba, our African lion, tolerates higher temperatures well and, funny enough, usually isn’t interested in getting into her pool at all,” Brady said.
Monkeys play in moat, but they also enjoy AC, Brady said.
She noted visitors shouldn’t worry about the monkeys if they walk by the monkey moat and don’t see anyone outside.
“Our animals have access to indoor and outdoor areas during high temperatures, and sometimes they simply choose to hang out inside in the air conditioning, and we can’t blame them,” she said with a laugh.
Those are just a few examples of how the keepers adjust care based on the individual species, the weather, and each animal’s needs, according to Brady.
Keeping animals comfortable and safe isn’t one-size-fits-all.
“Sometimes it’s a pool, sometimes it’s a hose, and sometimes it’s good old-fashioned AC,” Brady said.
Nell Williams is a staff writer covering trends and other news for the Amarillo Globe-News. Have a story idea? Email her at nwilliams@usatodayco.com .
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Staff use creative ways to beat the heat at Amarillo Zoo and Sanctuary
Reporting by Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News / Amarillo Globe-News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Nell Williams, Amarillo Globe-News | USA TODAY Network
