23rd July, an elephant cools itself in style

CHONGQING (CQNEWS) Owing to the high temperatures, Chongqing Zoo has provided a variety of animals with air-conditioned rooms, while serving cooling food such as watermelons and frozen meat.

Yesterday at 10 a.m., five of the zoo’s leopards enjoyed a feast of frozen food including a variety of fish and chicken according to a local zoo keeper. The Bear Centre also saw a group of brown bears gorge on plates of frozen watermelon. The Panda bear’s weaker stomach however, does not allow them to consume the same quality of frozen food. Cooling measures aim at controlling the core temperature of the Pandas. “We have equipped air-conditioners for the Pandas due to their higher sensitivity to frozen substances.” stated a zoo keeper.

A number of other measures have been taken to cool the animals including ground hosing of animal shelters and the installation of spraying facilities. To prevent animals from heatstroke, keepers have also introduced a selection of drugs such as ‘10 drops’ (a popular medicine for summer ailments) and radix isatidis. (Translated by Kang Zhili, Fathom Language Limited)