Summer’s here at Wingham Wildlife Park, and while we love the sunshine, keeping our animals cool is a top priority. You might be wondering how we ensure their comfort during these hot times. Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the various strategies and techniques we use to keep our animals cool and happy during the hot summer months.
Shady retreats
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to keep animals cool is by providing plenty of shaded areas. We strategically place trees, shrubs and shelter throughout our enclosure to provide respite from the blaring sun. This is especially important for animals from regions with dense forests or sparse vegetation, where they naturally seek shelter under the cover of trees.
For example, the red pandas are native to the temperate forests of the Eastern Himalayas. To replicate this, our enclosure at WWP is full of bushes, shrubs and a large tree. Throughout the summer months you will often find our resident pandas, Mai and Kai, chilling out in the shade.
Splashing around
Our park is home to a variety of pools, lakes and ponds that play a crucial role in keeping our animals cool. These water bodies are placed in enclosures to offer both a cooling dip and a naturalistic environment for the animals.
Tapirs
Nando and Kathleen, the lowland tapirs, enjoy an afternoon dip in the lake and can often be seen playing with toys that the keepers put in the lake for them.
Tigers
Tigers, unlike most house cats, are actually quite fond of water. Often, tigers live in hot environments, and a refreshing dip is a great way to beat the heat. On your next visit see if you can spot Troy and Blade in their pool.
Otters
Otters are small aquatic animals that thrive when they have access to the water, this is essential in encouraging their natural behaviour. Jill and Storm can often be seen enjoying a nice tasty fish on the surface.
Mud baths
Mud wallows are a fantastic natural method for keeping certain animals cool. At Wingham Wildlife Park, we provide mud wallows for species that love to wallow in the mud as a way to cool off and protect their skin.
Visayan warty pigs and Capybaras
Maximus and Achilles, the two Visayan Warty Pig, are the best at wallowing in the park. As pigs have fewer sweat glands, wallowing can lower their body temperature. Throughout summer, the keepers will dig out wallows and add water to make it nice and muddy.
Another favourite of a wallow is the capybaras, as you can see them enjoying here.
Icy treats
Just like humans, animals appreciate a cold treat on a hot day. We prepare special frozen treats and ice blocks for our residents, tailored to their dietary needs and preferences.
Many of our animals especially enjoy the ice blocks. Packed with a variety of chopped fruits, vegetables, and sometimes even hidden nuts, these frozen treats are more than just a cool snack. They provide mental stimulation as the animals work to extract the treats from the ice.
Now, that is only a small insight on how the keeping team ensures the animals are cool and comfortable this summer. So, the next time you visit Wingham Wildlife Park, rest assured that our animals are receiving the best care. And who knows, you might even catch them enjoying a refreshing mud bath or a tasty ice treat!
