As temperatures plummet, zoos turn up the heat to protect animals

Amid freezing temperatures in Wuhan, Hubei province, a pair of hippos at the city's zoo spent some time in warm water, with the female resting her head on her mate's back, her eyes closed in bliss.

Last week, temperatures fell below 0 C in southern parts of China, but animals at zoos continue to enjoy a comfortable environment, thanks to the introduction of several measures.

In Wuhan, the hippo keepers drain and sanitize the pool each morning for the animals, refilling it with fresh, heated water, which is maintained at a temperature of 20 C.

In addition, the zoo's slender-tailed meerkats have found refuge in their own custom-built house. Made from precast concrete, the house occupies two square meters and accommodates all 18 meerkats.

Gu Haiwen, who takes care of the animals, said: "When it gets cold, they usually dig holes to keep warm. However, when it gets too cold, digging holes alone won't suffice, so we decided to build the house."

The house is equipped with an electric heater that operates day and night, maintaining a temperature of 20 C. In addition, a layer of straw blankets the floor.

Meanwhile, with underfloor heating and more than 30 wall heaters installed in their enclosure, the zoo's giraffes revel in warmth from every angle. The floor is also covered with soft hay mats.

Zookeepers prepared fully for the arrival of winter.

Wuhan Zoo has stockpiled 20 metric tons of alfalfa, 30 tons of sheep grass, and one ton of dried leaves to ensure sufficient supplies for the entire winter.

Several zoos in southern China have prepared winter diets for their animals, including a special recipe that not only meets their nutritional needs but also supplements their diet with nutrients.

To adapt to animals' needs and ever-changing temperatures, keepers at Jiangsu Yancheng Wildlife World have introduced tailored heating measures and adjusted the animals' diets. The animals now receive additional supplies of items to withstand the cold, including garlic, ginger and onions.

The wildlife park said carnivorous animals receive extra supplies of high-protein food such as chicken legs and beef, while herbivores are provided with premium hay to build up their reserves of fat and improve their resistance to the cold.

The park has also introduced external heating devices for the animals, including air conditioners, oil-filled radiators, warm air blowers, and hot water bottles.

Comprehensive measures protect animal cubs from the cold, as they are the most vulnerable to freezing temperatures.

At Shendiao Mountain Wildlife Park in Rongcheng county, Shandong province, which saw heavy snowfall last week, animal keepers have added scallions and garlic to the daily meals of some primates to prevent them from catching cold.

Cang Wei in Nanjing contributed to this story.