Utica Zoo Animals Keep Their Cool In Hot Temps
By: Rachel Polansky
Updated: July 4, 2012
The record-breaking hot temperatures isn't just hard on people - But it's hard on animals too.
The Utica zookeepers say they are doing everything they can to make sure the animals stay cool in the heat. The executive director says every animal has access to a cooling area inside the building, and she says each animal reacts differently to the heat.
"We have sprinklers, we have ice treats, and some of the animals like being directly in the sprinkler like our alpacas, our ostrich and other animals don't like to be in the sprinkler but they like that the ground gets wet like the baby goat and sheep. So it's really about the keepers knowing what the animals will like and giving the animals the choice," says Andria DeLisle-Heath, executive director at Utica Zoo.
Heath says early evening is a great time to come to the zoo, and it's a lot cooler too. The Utica Zoo is holding "Free Zoo Night" this coming Monday July 9th from 5pm to 7:45pm.
The Utica zookeepers say they are doing everything they can to make sure the animals stay cool in the heat. The executive director says every animal has access to a cooling area inside the building, and she says each animal reacts differently to the heat.
"We have sprinklers, we have ice treats, and some of the animals like being directly in the sprinkler like our alpacas, our ostrich and other animals don't like to be in the sprinkler but they like that the ground gets wet like the baby goat and sheep. So it's really about the keepers knowing what the animals will like and giving the animals the choice," says Andria DeLisle-Heath, executive director at Utica Zoo.
Heath says early evening is a great time to come to the zoo, and it's a lot cooler too. The Utica Zoo is holding "Free Zoo Night" this coming Monday July 9th from 5pm to 7:45pm.
