AssetID: 54854680
Headline: RAW VIDEO: UK Safari Park Cools Off Animals With Icy Treats During Heatwave
Caption: Animals at a UK safari park have been enjoying frozen treats to stay cool during the ongoing heatwave. With temperatures rising across the nation, keepers at West Midlands Safari Park have been busy preparing icy delights for the animals in their care by suspending their favourite foods in blocks of ice. For the tiny meerkats, small ice cubes filled with blueberries and apples were crafted, while the African elephants received large ice lollies made with fruits, vegetables, and browse, shaped using large buckets. Jenny Garde, Discovery Trail Keeper, explained, “As animal keepers, it’s crucial to ensure the animals stay comfortable during hot weather. One way we do this is by offering them frozen enrichment. For the lemurs and meerkats, we make ice lollies packed with their favourite fruity treats like apple and blueberry.” “A lot of the other animals around the park, like the sea lions and elephants, have pools to cool off in, but their keepers also provide them with ice blocks. These frozen treats not only offer cool relief but also challenge their minds as they figure out how to access the treats inside. Just like us, they always enjoy them!” For the California sea lions, their ice treat also served as a birthday cake for Callum, who turned 19 on June 17. Callum had fun pushing the ice cake into the water and playing with it before sharing it with his companions, Jack and Bounty. Keepers remain vigilant during extreme weather conditions, but when it’s hot, they employ creative methods to help the animals stay cool, such as sprinkler sessions, wet sand spots, and ensuring the pools and mud wallows are topped up.
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