It’s not unusual for summer days in Phoenix to hit triple digits. And Phoenix Zoo officials face a challenge trying to keep the animals cool. Many of the animals come from cooler climates.
"It’s awesome to give them things like ice treats in the dead of summer because it’s a reward just like a kid getting a popsicle. It’s awesome. It’s refreshing. It’s sweet.”
– Jessica Peterschick, primate keeper
Jiwa, a Bornean orangutan, cooled off with a Gatorade popsicle. The orangutans at the Phoenix Zoo have access to an indoor enclosure when outside temperatures get too hot, but "prefer to be outside," said Jessica Peterschick, the senior keeper of primates. The orangutan keepers also hose down the primates and provide tubs of water for them to drink and so they can swim.
Jai, a Sumatran tiger, approaches a blood and fish popsicle – a favorite treat. While these tigers are good at self-regulating their body temperatures and will swim or lie in the shade when they get hot, they also have access to an air-conditioned room during extremely hot days.
Zookeeper Corey Barr hosed down Sheena, a 46-year-old Asian elephant, in her habitat at Phoenix Zoo. The elephants' habitats are outfitted with misters and fans, and zoo employees provide them with frozen treats such as melons and popsicles.
Ali, a tortoise from the Aldabra Atoll, lies in the shade. Phoenix's climate is much drier than that of Ali's native habitat, so these turtles lie in the shade and wade in water pools to keep cool. Like other animals at the Phoenix Zoo, tortoises have access to an air-conditioned room when the weather gets too hot.