Wildlife park animals given unique ways to cool off in sunshine

Cotswold Wildlife Park has shared some adorable photos of its wild inhabitants cooling off as the sun shines.

In the last few days, keepers at the Oxfordshire Zoo near Swindon have been treating animals under their care to some cooling enrichments.

They include new Ring-tailed Lemur twins, who sunk their teeth into a refreshing watermelon and frozen fruit ice lollies for the first time.

Senior mammal keeper Jenni Maxwell with her homemade ice treat for the Tapirs (Image: Cotswold Wildlife Park)

And a Penguin chick seen by the public for the first time after venturing out of its nest box, to head straight for the sprinkler before taking its first plunge into the pool.

Chris Kibbey, assistant animal manager at Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens: "‘It’s hot, hot, hot here in the Cotswolds, and keepers have to be prepared to keep themselves and the animals under their care cool.

(Image: Cotswold Wildlife Park) "As always, we ensure all animals have access to adequate shade and plenty of water, but with hot temperatures forecast, it also allows us to be a little inventive with our enrichment.

"The Lemurs were given frozen fruit popsicles made using ingredients from their normal diet – berries, pear and grapes which they enjoyed.

"Sometimes simply freezing an animal’s diet in an ice block provides a stimulating challenge for them, as was the case for our Tapirs Gomez and Lolita who devoured their melon, pear and banana frozen treat in no time.

(Image: Cotswold Wildlife Park) "Watermelon is a delicious summer treat and perfect for our Meerkats who use their strong claws to break through the skin before using their snout and tongue to lap up the insides.

"For the first time, our Ring-tailed Lemur twins, born earlier this year, enjoyed their first taste of watermelon too".

Chris added: "Who doesn’t like a cold shower on a hot day? Humboldt Penguins come from Chile and Peru where it is hot.

(Image: Cotswold Wildlife Park) "Our British-born Penguins still appreciate a hose down when it is particularly warm.

"Our new as-yet-unsexed and unnamed Penguin chick surprised visitors by venturing out of its nest box for the first time and enjoyed a cooling spray from the sprinkler before taking its first dip in the Penguin pool".

Cotswold Wildlife Park is one of the largest zoological collections in the UK, with over 1,500 animals from 250 different species, set in 160 acres of beautiful parkland with plenty of space to enjoy nature.