VIDEO: Dartmoor Zoo reveals how it keeps animals cool in the heatwave

As temperatures soared across the South West last week, Dartmoor Zoo revealed the measures it put in place to help its animals stay cool, including frozen treats, shaded areas and access to water for bathing.

The zoo, near Sparkwell in Devon, said animal welfare remained a top priority during extreme weather, with keepers carrying out specific enrichment activities designed to lower body temperatures and prevent heat stress.

A spokesperson for Dartmoor Zoo said: “Our keepers do enrichment with our animals to help them combat the heat. This can be done with a variety of things such as food frozen into blocks of ice, access to water for drinking and if appropriate, swimming or bathing.”

One example included ice lollies made specially for the zoo’s cloud rats, a tropical rodent species with a thick coat, to keep them stimulated and hydrated in the heat.

Alongside caring for their own animals, the zoo also issued guidance to pet owners on how to keep domestic animals safe during high temperatures.

“Advice for pet owners is to make sure their animals always have access to plenty of fresh water,” the spokesperson added.

“Don’t walk dogs in the heat of the day, especially stay away from pavements or tarmac on dog walks in case they burn their paws. Best practice is to keep pets indoors, making sure there is plenty of shade and if possible a breeze for them to help regulate their temperatures.”

The Met Office reported highs of over 28C across parts of Devon last week, prompting heat-health alerts in several regions.