The weird and wild ways Denver's zoo keeps animals cool
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A hippopotamus opens wide for some water. Photo: Courtesy of Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance
Bloodsicles, anyone?
The big picture: That's just one of the ways the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, as it's newly renamed, is helping its animals beat the heat this summer.
Driving the news: The challenge to keep the zoo's 2,500-plus creatures cool is even more strenuous this weekend as Denver faces triple-digit temperatures, staff tell us.
Zoom in: Animal care specialists are coming up with creative ways for zoo residents to cool down apart from pools, fans, misters and air-conditioned spaces indoors.
- That includes making popsicles out of frozen blood and meat for some of the zoo's carnivores.
- Cold plunge bubble baths are given to the spotted hyenas, which love to stash objects in the suds. Staff also hide items beneath the bubbles for the three-member pack to find for extra enrichment.
- Custom shade sails, which each cost a whopping $65,000 to build, have also been set up for the zoo's flamingos to flock under.
The bottom line: To support these "cool" initiatives, the nonprofit zoo encourages people to donate.
- For anyone who wants to see the animals this summer, staff recommend visiting in the morning to help dodge the heat.