NETHERLANDS: Amsterdam's only polar bear is given artificial snow to beat the heatwave

Record ID: 805095

  • Title: NETHERLANDS: Amsterdam's only polar bear is given artificial snow to beat the heatwave
  • Date: 5th August 2006
  • Summary: WIDE SHOT TANYA THE POLAR BEAR RETURNS TO CAVE
  • Embargoed: 20th August 2006 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Netherlands
  • Country: Netherlands
  • Topics: Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVA7MURWDW4AM4FTDJ7H0MGNPPY0
  • Story Text: The Artis zoo in Amsterdam has found a new way to cool down its only polar bear, a female called Tanya: artificial snow. According to Fred Van Den Hof, Tanya's caretaker, the snow is a necessary measure against the potentially deadly heat wave which has gripped most of Europe since July. Amsterdam just endured 16 days of temperatures that didn't fall below 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit).
    "The last week was very hot, so now we give her tasty, cool snow," Fred Van Den Hof explained.
    The extreme and lasting hot temperatures throughout Europe has forced various zoological parks to be creative including: fish-filled ice blocks for tigers, spraying ostriches with cool water and iced fruits for monkeys.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
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