No results found

Waterperry web banner fxs4dz
What's On, Lifestyle, Travel, Country, Knowledge, STEM

Keeping Cool at Cotswold Wildlife Park

divider
Cotswold Wildlife Park Ice Tapirs with keeper Jenni
Ice Tapirs with keeper Jenni - Image: © Cotswold Wildlife Park

With temperatures rising rapidly, the animals at Cotswold Wildlife Park have been keeping cool with a little help from their keepers. They have been treated to delicious ice enrichments and slices of ice-cold refreshing watermelon. Some of the animals have also been cooling themselves down by taking a dip in their pools, especially the Penguins and Capybaras

The scientific name for the Capybara is Hydrochoerus, which means ‘Water Horse’. The best description of these enormous rodents is by zoologist Desmond Morris, who said they were "a cross between a Guinea-pig and a Hippopotamus". Capybaras spend most of their life near water and can stay submerged for several minutes. They can even sleep underwater by leaving their noses exposed to the air.

Chris Kibbey, Section Head of Primates and Small Mammals at Cotswold Wildlife Park explains:

"It’s hot, hot, hot here in the Cotswolds, and keepers have to be prepared to keep themselves and the animals under their care cool. As always, we ensure all animals have access to adequate shade and plenty of water, but with the predicted record temperatures forecast, it also allows us to be a little inventive with our enrichment.

The Lemurs enjoyed slices of cooling watermelon and frozen fruit lollies (made with natural ingredients of course), hung in the aptly named Monkey Puzzle Tree.

Ring Tailed Lemur at Cotswold Wildlife Park
Ring Tailed Lemur at Cotswold Wildlife Park - Image: © Cotswold Wildlife Park

The Meerkats also enjoyed some watermelon, with alpha male Marley dominating most of it. Gomez and Lollie the Tapirs enjoyed a frozen pear and melon treat.

Even the Binturong had some refreshing melon. The keepers are currently decimating the stocks of ice cream and orange lollies from the Gift Shop!"

Dobbie the Binturong at Cotswold Wildlife Park
Dobbie the Binturong at Cotswold Wildlife Park - Image: © Cotswold Wildlife Park

You can visit the animals yourself, why not take the kids along too, there's savings available for online bookings through their portal here:

shop.myonlinebooking.co.uk/cotswoldwildlifepark/buy.aspx?tid=1

RECOMMENDED

DSC 0107 gxlzgy
Fri 1 Nov 2024

Oxfordshire and its surrounds are famous for outstanding food and hospitality: from farms, growers and markets to cafes, pubs and restaurants. We are delighted to have the chance to feature some of the very best.

151111 Rhys Wellingtonia Table 7315 ii1scw
Fri 1 Nov 2024

Wood as Art Form

Michelle Heather

When I visited FarmED at Shipton-under-Wychwood earlier this year, I could not help but notice some absolutely stunning wood sculptures in the reception area and on display in the café.

Catto jacket V2 12.8.24 page 0001 ykhm0l
Fri 1 Nov 2024

Jeremy Catto: A Portrait of the Quintessential Oxford Don

Phillip Baldwin reviews a new biography by David Vaiani

I first met Jeremy Catto at an Oxford University open day in 2002, when we chatted intensely about Tudor History and current affairs. I read Modern History at Oriel College from 2003-2006, the year of Jeremy’s retirement.

The execution of Guy Fawkes   Guy Fawkes  by Claes  Nicolaes  Jansz Visscher guqbhu
Fri 1 Nov 2024

Customs and traditions are often things we accept without question. Why do we put candles on a birthday cake? Why is it called a honeymoon? What exactly is mistletoe?