With the weather warming up, staff at Alexandra Park Zoo are finding unique ways to keep the resident animals cool.
Zoo keeper Zane Norris said the birds, lizards, emus and even the dingoes loved a good soak under the sprinklers when the temperatures were soaring.
“While most of these animals are local and relatively used to the temperature, they are happy to roll around in the water, particularly the emus,” he said.
“They shake like a dog.”
“The birds love a shower. They will spread their wings out and they will start preening.
“The monkeys even get a little shower. They are from Columbia so they are used to humidity and almost a cloud forest.”
Some of the zoo animals will even get a tasty, cool treat according to Zane, with icy blocks on hand for warmer days.
“We can give them ice cubes with blood,” he said.
“That is for the dingoes and the quoll and they are always really interested in that because there is so much scent going on.”
Zane said it was important to keep the animals cool in the warm, Bundaberg climate.
“It's the easiest way to keep them happy during a hot spell,” he said.
“It will cool them down and they will feel a lot more comfortable.”
