Ice lollies on the menu as Dudley Zoo animals chill out in the heat
Animals kept cool with frozen treats, shade and water play as temperatures rise across the West Midlands
Ice lollies are on the menu at Dudley Zoo as keepers step up efforts to help animals cope with rising temperatures.
From fruit-filled primate treats to fish ice blocks for penguins, staff are using frozen enrichment, shade and water play to keep animals comfortable in the heat.
Head of primates Jodie Dryden says the aim is simple — keeping animals safe while still letting them enjoy the weather. She says they’re encouraged to enjoy it “safely, same as you would with children”, with access to shade and indoor areas when needed.
One of the most popular additions is homemade ice lollies, made from the animals’ normal diets. Jodie says keepers can “chuck fruit or veg into an ice lolly” and they “absolutely love it”, with animals playing with them, licking them and getting extra hydration as they melt.
Penguins are also getting involved, with fish-filled ice blocks dropped into pools, turning feeding time into a cooling challenge as they peck through the frozen treats.
Not all animals respond to the heat in the same way. Jodie says you’ll often see orangutans “just sunbathing outside”, while meerkats also tend to make the most of the sunshine and relax in the heat.
Others prefer to switch between shade and indoor areas depending on how warm it gets, with keepers saying the animals always have the choice to move where they’re most comfortable.
As temperatures continue to rise, frozen enrichment, shade and water play remain key parts of daily care across the zoo, helping ensure each species can stay cool in a way that suits them best.
From ice lollies to lazy sunbathing spots, it’s a summer routine shaped entirely by the animals themselves.