ITALY: Animals at Rome zoo get cold showers and fruit lollipops to cope better with the heat

Record ID: 741374

  • Title: ITALY: Animals at Rome zoo get cold showers and fruit lollipops to cope better with the heat
  • Date: 6th July 2008
  • Summary: (L!3) ROME, ITALY (JUNE 30, 2008) (REUTERS) JAPANESE SNOW MONKEYS IN ENCLOSURE MOTHER AND BABY UNDER STRONG SUN ZOO KEEPERS TAKING OUT FROZEN FRUIT BLOCKS FROM CONTAINERS FROZEN FRUIT BLOCKS THROWN INTO POOL IN SNOW MONKEY ENCLOSURE MONKEYS EATING FRUIT BLOCKS CURATOR OF ROME ZOO YITZHAK YADID LOOKING AT MONKEY ENCLOSURE (SOUNDBITE) (English) CURATOR YITZHAK YADID SAYING: 'To feed them we are trying to give them some frozen food items and of course the diet during the summer time, for all animals here, is lighter because the energy need is a little bit less, so we are trying to provide a lighter diet to most of the animals and again try to help them pass this season.' BROWN BEARS IN POOL FRUIT BLOCKS THROWN INTO BROWN BEAR ENCLOSURE BROWN BEARS EATING FROZEN FRUIT FISH LOLLIPOP THROWN INTO BEAR ENCLOSURE BEAR EATING FISH LOLLIPOP BEAR EATING FROZEN FRUIT BLOCK ELEPHANTS IN POOL
  • Embargoed: 21st July 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Italy
  • Country: Italy
  • Topics: Weather
  • Reuters ID: LVADK6UK9R1QRDMJC18T75A7SCDZ
  • Story Text: Summer heat has taken hold of Italy with temperatures reaching 40 degrees in many cities. At Rome's zoo, animals are helped to deal with the high temperatures by getting fruit and fish lollipops as well as frequent baths in cold water.
    Summer heat took hold of Italy on Monday (June 30) with temperatures in Rome reaching close to 37 degrees and for the animals at Rome's zoo help is needed to keep them cool.
    The Japanese Macaque or snow monkey is the most northerly-living non-human primate in the world and comes from the mountainous regions of northern Japan. It can survive temperatures as low as -15 degrees, but it does have a few problems dealing with the heat. A cool pool and frozen fruit allow the monkeys to bring their body temperature down.
    Throughout the summer months at the zoo, keepers make sure the animals have access to the frozen goodies and a constant supply of fresh water.
    'To feed them we are trying to give them some frozen food items and of course the diet during the summer time, for all animals here, is lighter because the energy need is a little bit less, so we are trying to provide a lighter diet to most of the animals and again try to help them pass this season' said Rome zoo curator Yitzhak Yadid.
    For the brown bears, what could be better than having massive fruit ice blocks chucked at you whilst lounging in the pool to help you deal with the midday heat. And as a special treat fish lollipops really go down well.
    The Asian elephants may be used to the heat but they are not used to the lack of humidity. At Rome zoo they spend much of the day in the water or showering themselves with dirt to protect their skin.
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