As Sydney prepared for its first day over 30 degrees in almost a year and with temperatures on the Central Coast predicted to reach 32 degrees on January 18, staff at the Australian Reptile Park were prepared on January 18.
Staff were working hard to help the animals beat the heat with refreshing sprinklers, icy enrichment activities and delicious “bloodsickles” (blood ice blocks for the carnivores).
Keepers strive to keep the animals as cool as possible during the hot Australian summer, whether it be putting sprinklers on, making ice blocks containing their favourite food or simply giving the animals a cool shower.
Throughout the Park, Estrella the Galapagos tortoise enjoyed being sprayed with the hose, the Tawny frog mouths were stretching their wings for an extra splash of water, the dingoes got stuck into freezing cold blood ice blocks and Derek the Tasmanian Devil splashed around in his ice cold pond.
Operations Manager Billy Collett said keepers were determined to help the animals beat the heat.
“They absolutely love it when we turn on the misters and sprinklers,” he said.
Source:
Media release, Jan 18
Australian Reptile Park