Blood ice lollies used to keep big cats cool at London zoo
The Story
London Zoo is using frozen blood-based ice blocks, known as blood lollies, to keep its big cats cool during hot weather. The treats also encourage natural investigative and hunting behaviors. Other species receive fruit and vegetable ice lollies or showers.
Key Facts
- London Zoo gives lions and Sumatran tigers frozen blood-based ice blocks (blood lollies), often spiced or containing an edible treat.
- The approach cools the big cats and encourages natural investigative and hunting behaviors.
- Chester Zoo notes animals use various cooling methods: dusky pademelons lick wrists for evaporative cooling; aardvarks and African crested porcupines use subterranean shelter; eastern black rhinos and capybaras use mud wallows; Sumatran tigers, jaguars, Asian elephants, Humboldt penguins use pools.
- Humboldt penguins have body adaptations for heat (bare patches, bill) and London zoo has misting systems and fans for them.
- Other cool treats: fruit and vegetable ice lollies for chimps, bears, red pandas; showers for greater one-horned rhinos; gorillas receive ice blocks from sugar-free fruit teas.
- Dr Nick Davis, mammals general manager at Chester zoo, provided information on animal cooling behaviors.
- Angela Ryan, ZSL’s head of zoological operations, said the key is making sure every animal can choose what works for them.
Conflicting Reports
No conflicting reports identified in the source article.
Still Unclear
No open questions identified in the source article.
Misconceptions
No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.
Key Figures
- Dr Nick Davis – mammals general manager at Chester zoo
- Angela Ryan – head of zoological operations at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL)
Sources: The Guardian
