Cool! Keepers at London Zoo keep gorillas chilled with giant ice lollies
Last updated 8/6/2010 9:20:31 AM
Keepers at London Zoo keep gorillas chilled with giant ice lollies
Gorillas at London Zoo are keeping cool in the heat this summer, with the help of special measures – giant-sized ice lollies.
The zoo has revealed that it supplies the lollies to its group of western lowland gorillas by filling buckets with fruit and then freezing them.
The gorillas get the fruit out by standing on the blocks, biting them, licking them and even the odd kick. On really hot days zookeepers also provide the animals with cooling fruit tea.
These are poured into empty plastic bottles so the gorillas can take a swig when they fancy and visitors can see how they use their hands just like humans. This is part of an ‘enrichment' programme of activity, designed to encourage their natural behaviour and curiosity.
The gorillas also have air conditioning inside their enclosure so they can go inside and outside into the heat as they please.