They may call the hottest part of the year—which typically runs from July 3 through Aug. 11 each year—the “dog days of summer,” but at one Texas zoo, it’s more than pups feeling the heat. And at the Amarillo Zoo and Sanctuary, zookeepers have to get creative when the mercury starts to rise.
That’s why they have turned to some unusual methods to keep animals comfortable this time of year, and according to the Amarillo Globe-News, the process is as varied as the animals it’s used on. Executive Director Stephanie Brady spoke with the publication, offering insight into how the Texas Panhandle location is keeping the animals safe and happy during this hot and dry spell.
As you can imagine, their techniques create great experiences for visitors to the zoo during these warmer days, making it a win-win for the animals and guests alike. In fact, some of these animals have been behaving so cutely, they’ve even been featured on the zoo’s Instagram page, like Oyster the bear who playfully cooled down in a pool at the end of July.
Of course, with temperatures closing in on triple digits, not all of the animals will be as active, and some will even be taken to indoor enclosures to keep them safe.
View this post on Instagram
Amarillo Zoo Is Protecting Vulnerable Animals During the Heat
According to Stephanie Brady, zoo officials have to take a unique approach with each animal. “There isn’t one answer because every species is different,” she explained. “What works for a camel certainly isn’t the same thing that works for a macaw, bear, or monkey.”
Speaking of macaws, Brady says that parrots and birds can be especially vulnerable to heat, even though many people think of them as being native to warmer environments. “Once temperatures reach 95°F, our birds are brought indoors,” Brady continued. “There’s a common misconception that parrots—especially macaws—can handle extreme heat because we think of them as tropical birds. But high temperatures can be dangerous for them, so they head inside where it’s cooler.”
Bigger Animals Need More Water
Meanwhile, some animals, like camels, are a little better suited to the warmer temperatures. Brady says these creatures like to hunker down on the wet ground when it gets too hot, so zookeepers tend to spray the enclosures to give them somewhere to rest.
While they’re at it, they often give the camels a little extra drink fresh from the hose during this time as well.
Of course, the bears like to take a dip in the water when they get hot, which can make for quite the fun show for onlookers. However, Brady notes that the zoo’s African lion prefers to bake in the sun, skipping her pool altogether.
Some Animals Head Indoors to Beat the Heat
Like the birds, Brady says the monkeys have the option to go inside to enjoy the AC, noting that they prefer a mix of modern comforts and swimming in their moats. “Our animals have access to indoor and outdoor areas during high temperatures, and sometimes they simply choose to hang out inside in the air conditioning, and we can’t blame them,” Brady continued.
According to WeatherBug, temps have been high in Amarillo this week, with temperatures predicted to continue to hover around the mid-to-high 90s well into next week. That means that zookeepers and visitors alike may need to continue to brace for the heat when visiting the zoo, and remember to drink lots of water while they’re checking on the animals… but preferably not from the same hose the camels do.