Safari parks, zoos in China are taking action to help animals stay cool. They introduced special cooling measures to beat the summer heat. Cities with high temperatures are getting the most help.
At Guangzhou Chimelong Safari Park, home to giant panda triplets, the pandas enjoy herbal tea, ice cream, and cake. They also relax on ice blocks, known as ice-beds, to stay cool. The park installed air conditioning and electric fans in the panda enclosure.
Chen Shuqing, a conservation expert at the park, explains, “We offer special cooling methods for animals. This includes food, drinks, play areas, and living spaces.”
Besides ice blocks and fans, the park set up a summer retreat with sun umbrellas for shade. Animals can swim in pools and enjoy misting sprays. These pools and mist sprays help animals cool down and make the park look magical.
Young Tigers Play in Pool, Rhinos Cool Off in Mud of Zoos
Young tigers have fun in a pool, playing with each other. White rhinos roll in mud to cool off and protect their skin. Chen says, “White rhinos don’t have fur for protection. Mud helps them cool down and avoid sunburn.”
To avoid heatstroke, the park’s team gives animals watermelons and herbal teas. These foods help cool and detoxify them. They also add juicy fruits, vegetables, and ice cubes to the animals’ diets to keep them hydrated and balanced.
On Monday, during the “major heat” (dashu) in China, temperatures reached nearly 35°C in Guangzhou and 37°C in Wuhan. Wuhan Zoo also uses cooling equipment like central air conditioning and misting devices in animal enclosures.
The giant panda pavilion at Wuhan Zoo, which covers 1,400 square meters, has six central air conditioning units running since May. Refrigerators store fresh bamboo shoots. The zoo keeps the pavilion below 25°C to keep the giant pandas happy.
To read our article about “17 year old Noor Jehan’s health deteriorates at Karachi Zoo” click here.
