Shanghai Zoo animals given five-star warmth against bitter cold
Three De Brazza's monkeys cuddle with each other to keep warm at the Shanghai Zoo.
To protect South American tapirs from the chill, floor heating and air conditioning have been installed with the temperature set at 15 degrees Celsius.
The Shanghai Zoo is taking various precautions such as preparing nutritious meals and installing heaters for animals to get through the chilly weather as the temperature plummeted today.
Herbivores such as giraffes are fed with nutritious food like pumpkins, sugar canes, malt, and bean pulp, alongside the routine grass, fruits and vegetables, to keep them warm, while primates are treated with food with high calories like red dates, sugar cane and nuts, animal keepers said.
The Shanghai Zoo has also increased the amount of animal feed it gives to its inhabitants to better guard them against the freezing cold.
The giraffes, a herbivore, at the Zoo are fed with specially prepared nutritious food such as grass, pumpkin, sugar cane, malt, and bean pulp.
Zookeepers have prepared wooden nest boxes as well as soft cotton sleeping cushion and mats for fennec foxes.
Zookeepers have prepared soft cotton mats for fennec foxes.
Heating facilities and air conditioning have been installed at the homes of some animals and heavy curtains as well.
It was the first winter for South American tapir Hua Duo (flower, in English) who was born at the zoo last May. The species is the largest surviving native terrestrial mammal in the Amazon where the temperature is about 20 degrees Celsius.
The chilly weather in Shanghai during the winter is a challenge for Hua Duo, zookeepers said.
To protect South American tapirs from the chill, floor heating and air conditioning have been installed at the cage with the temperature set at 15 degrees. The Zoo also cut their outdoor activities.
Fennec foxes native to northern areas in Africa and the western Asian deserts are also vulnerable to cold. Zookeepers have prepared wooden cave nest boxes as well as soft cotton cushion and mats for them. Floor heating and air conditioning have also been in place for the cute creatures.
Hippos at the zoo are provided with "hot spring" for bathing.
A baby golden snub-nosed monkey finds shelter in mother's arms in chilly temperature.
Hippos are provided with "hot spring" for bathing, which they seemingly enjoy. The deep phreatic water prepared by zookeepers is kept at 20 degrees Celsius, allowing hippos to enjoy a comfortable and warm bath. The temperature at the elephant cage is also kept at above 10 degrees.
The Shanghai Zoo is home to more than 5,000 animals of over 470 species.
