Here at Paradise Wildlife Park we are working to keep all our animals cool and relaxed as the red weather warning heatwave is due to hit the UK today. Our Large Carnivore team is working especially hard to ensure all our big cats are receiving some refreshing enrichment to beat the heat and stay cool cats.
Today we talked with Cassie, one of our large carnivore keepers to see how they were preparing for the incoming heat wave.
- How have you been preparing?:
When it comes to the summer months we are always making sure we have some unique and fun enrichment for our Big Cats to keep cool and refreshed in the summer sunshine. However, over the last couple of days we have been preparing for this heat wave with additional ice enrichment. Aaron, Tyler, Cam have been great at helping us prepare some tasty ice lollies for our Amur Tigers, did you catch them in One Zoo Three preparing one? You can catch up on BBC iPlayer!
2. How do Big Cats prepare for warmer weather?:
Many big cats prepare for warmer seasons by shedding their thick winter coats in springtime. You will often see this with Aleena and Siberia, our Amur Tigers losing their thick winter coats for a more thin slender coat for the Summer months. Big Cats will also minimise movement on hot days and locate the best shady spots to reduce their time in the direct sun. All our cats will have access to their indoor and outdoor areas throughout the hot days for them to choose where they would like to go. Their indoor areas are very cool and you will often see them taking an extra sleep in there on extremely hot days.
3. Do you find the heat affects their eating patterns?:
Our Big Cats are fed every two to three days in the winter as they gorge and starve in the wild which we try to mimic here to give them the closest natural feeding style. However, in the hot weather and Summer months they are mostly fed every fourth day. This is due to them remaining more stationary in the heat meaning they do not exert enough energy to want to eat any earlier than four days apart. This of course varies depending on various groups but this is what we have found works for our Big Cats most of the time here at Paradise Wildlife Park but we do change and adapt depending on their behaviours.
4. Where do you expect to see the Big Cats today?:
I suspect the cats will be enjoying their shady indoor areas as well as under the trees and bushes in their habitats. Aleena and Siberia will definitely be taking a nice long dip in their pool in their habitat so I would recommend stopping by there in the next couple of days as you may just get a glance of a Tiger in the water!
5. Any tasty treats we may see the Big Cats getting?:
Our pride of white lions will be receiving a larger than life blood ice lolly which will help them not only stay cool and refreshed but will be a great form of enrichment for them to enjoy. This will cool them down whilst working out how to get the tasty blood that they can smell. Our Snow Leopards have also been receiving some ice lollipops too to keep them refreshed.
Will you be stopping by and seeing our Big Cats this Summer? Don’t forget to book your tickets online today and come and enjoy over 800 animals and Dinosaurs here at Paradise Wildlife Park!
