West Midlands Safari Park making sure animals stay cool during heatwave
Staff have been helping out the animals during this spell of high temperatures by giving them things such as specially designed ice lollies
Staff at West Midlands Safari Park have said they are keeping a close eye on their animals during this warm weather.
A red heat health alert remains in force today (25 June) across the region from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) after being brought in from yesterday, with temperatures expected to reach high thirties.
At the safari park, which is based in Bewdley, Worcestershire, deputy head of the ungulate section, Ian Nock, has said staff have have been using a range of methods, such as putting on sprinklers for the ostriches, to keep the animals cool.
"The animals get exactly what we all like in the hot weather, we give them ice lollies," he said.
"So we make them enrichment blocks of ice, which as they melt, they can eat the treats inside.
"With the giraffes, we give them bits of fruit and obviously this also gives them much needed moisture, because obviously in this hot weather, just like us, they lose a lot of moisture.
"It is very important to keep them cool, keep them hydrated, give them shade and not reduce their temperature dramatically, because that can have a bad effect."
West Midlands Ambulance Service is also urging people to take the dangers of extreme heat seriously.
It's reminding the public of ways to look after themselves such as drinking plenty of water and wearing sunscreen, with more information on their website.