Calgary Zoo preparing to keep animals cool amid upcoming heatwave
Temperatures in Calgary are expected to eclipse 30 degrees for much of the next week, but the Calgary Zoo says it will keep animals cool.
Colleen Baird, senior manager of animal care at the zoo, said many of the animals are used to warmer temperatures.
“Most of our hoofed animals have shed out so they are quite slimmed down with their coat, very little hair on them,” she said.
“That’s by design. They will start to grow that, to get ready for the winter.”
Baird said the animal care team is big and works alongside vets that check regularly on the animals.
“If an animal is exhibiting unusual behaviour, more excessive panting than we would like to see we would take that case-by-case, and make a change,” said Baird.
“Whether that is (to) bring them inside to a cooler building, provide them with a sprinkler or do something different.”
Lions enjoy an afternoon nap at the Calgary Zoo, Aug.10, 2022
Baird added that the penguins cool off in a pool daily, but can also use the nearby sprinkler when they are out of the water.
For larger animals, it does take a while to cool off.
“We take a bucket, fill it with ice, put a couple pieces of fruit in there, and we freeze it,” said Baird.
“(We then) pull that out and put it in an exhibit. The bears will play with it, so they can rub on cold ice and pick away at the food that sort of melts throughout that.”
Baird says shelter and shade is key for many of the animals as they try to also beat the heat.
Penguins chilling at the Calgary Zoo, Aug. 10, 2022
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
Grandparent scam suspects had ties to Italian organized crime, Ontario police allege
A group of suspects that allegedly defrauded seniors across Ontario and other parts of Canada using a so-called emergency grandparent scam appear to have ties to 'Italian traditional organized crime,' according to an investigator involved in the OPP-led probe.
Sports columnist apologizes for ‘oafish’ comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn’t over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball’s highest scorer Caitlin Clark’s first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Trend Line Anger, pessimism towards federal government reach six-year high: Nanos survey
Most Canadians in March reported feeling angry or pessimistic towards the federal government than at any point in the last six years, according to a survey by Nanos Research.
BREAKING B.C.'s short-term rental regulations include $10K daily penalties for Airbnb, other platforms
Short-term rental platforms that violate B.C.'s pending regulations can face administrative penalties of up to $10,000 per day, officials announced Thursday.
Taylor Swift's new album allegedly 'leaked' on social media and it's causing a frenzy
A Google Drive link allegedly containing 17 tracks that are purportedly from Swift's eagerly awaited "The Tortured Poets Department" album has been making the rounds on the internet in the past day and people are equal parts mad, sad and happy about it.
Motion to allow keffiyehs at Ontario legislature fails
A motion to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh within Queen’s Park failed to receive unanimous consent Thursday just moments after Ontario Premier Doug Ford reiterated his view that prohibiting the garment in the House is divisive.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.