The calendar season may have ticked over from summer to autumn, but forecasts are still trending high.
On days where temperatures rise above 25°C, zookeepers at Werribee Open Range Zoo get creative to provide ample opportunities for the animals to cool off.
Savannah keeper Laura Harbridge said that while the animals are perfectly adapted to cope with soaring temperatures, enrichment experiences, such as flavoured ice blocks, misters and sprinkler systems, are tailored to offer new and novel experiences with an icy cold pay off.
“Our animals are a mix of African and Australian native species, so they’re built for this climate,” said Ms Harbridge. “We find most of the animals take care of themselves, as their exhibits at the Zoo are built to mimic their wild environments, and include plenty of shade and water.
“We offer various enriching experiences to our animals every single day. Even when it’s hot, we’re focusing on offering differing stimuli, such as flavours, scents, textures and physical sensations. The cool-down is an added bonus.”
Just like humans, mental and physical activity are critical to animal wellbeing. Zookeepers provide a variety of activities, experiences and habitat designs to encourage animals to use their senses, move their bodies, and display natural, species-specific behaviours.
For Southern white rhino, this involves rolling around in wallows to slather on a layer of moisturising and sun-protecting mud. While for nimble fingered Vervet monkeys, this includes receiving pieces of maize and frozen fruit in an ice block to promote their fine motor skills.
Ms Harbridge says that while the calendar season has changed, we all still have a job to do to help out our native neighbours.
“Keeping fresh water available to wildlife should be a year-round activity. We often see extremely hot days through March and April, so maintaining the bird baths and other wildlife-friendly water vessels remains important.”
Zoos Victoria members and Werribee Open Range Zoo visitors are reminded that all tickets must be pre-booked online at zoo.org.au and all ticketholders 18 years and over are required to provide proof of full vaccination and follow current Victorian Government directions at www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au.
For more information, visit zoo.org.au.
