Australia Zoo’s animals beat the heat

With the Sunshine Coast experiencing extreme summer heat, Australia Zoo’s keepers have turned to creative ways to help their animals cool down.

Many of the Zoo’s animals are being fed iced treats to combat the heat, with keepers taking it upon themselves to personalise ice blocks according to each animal’s favourite tastes.

While the Tasmanian devils thoroughly enjoy a meat ice block on a warm day, the otters enjoy floating ice blocks packed to the brim with mealworms and fish.

With Tigers known as one of the only big cats that enjoy swimming and with Australia Zoo having a remarkable underwater viewing facility, the current weather offers guests the opportunity to spot the cats getting playful in the pool. Guests can watch the cubs during routine play sessions as they get familiar around the water and take a quick refreshing dip.

Some Zoo homes for animals - wombats and red pandas - are fitted with permanent air-conditioning systems so they can retreat from the heat throughout the year while koala branches are also set up with mist sprays to keep eucalypt leaves fresh.

Roving birds such as macaws and cockatoos also enjoy ruffling their feathers in the misters throughout the park, stretching out their wings to cool down while putting on an impressive show for onlookers.

The African Savannah at Australia Zoo is the only multispecies exhibit in Queensland with giraffe, zebra and rhino all roaming together. During summer, guests may notice the savannah is spotted with the rhino’s homemade mud wallows where they can often be seen coating themselves in cool mud to protect them from the sun and any pesky insects. Across the savannah the cheetahs are spoilt in their own special way with ice blocks infused with milk, kibble, fish and meat in the shade of the mango trees.

While most of the wildlife are keeping cool, Australia Zoo’s cold blooded animals are currently thriving in the warmer weather; basking in the summer heat and soaking in the rays which regulate their body temperature. Faster metabolisms and bigger appetites means the Zoo’s huge saltwater crocodiles have been getting bigger food items.

Images (from top): Terri Irwin helps a cheetah stay cool while Australia Zoo's animal beat he summer heat. Courtesy Ben Beaden/ Australia Zoo

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