Struggling to beat the heat this summer? So are the caged animals in the zoos.
However, this one Thai zoo found a unique way to cool the tigers down on Thursday, April 1 — by feeding them frozen chicken ‘popsicles’ and enticing them to splash in a wading pool.
Tigers were fed frozen chicken ‘popsicles’ and enticed to splash in a wading pool at a Thai zoo as temperatures rose https://t.co/usRc9L6Uq5 pic.twitter.com/DYTzsyb8Ki
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 1, 2021
According to Patchara Chanted, coordinator of the tiger handlers there, around 50 of the big cats live at the Tiger Kingdom zoo in Chiang Mai, 700km (435 miles) north of Bangkok, NDTV reported.
“Tigers will save their energy during most of the day by lying down or trying to exert themselves as little as possible,” said Patchara. “But if it gets too hot for them, they will start panting like cats or dogs to avoid heat stroke.”
“We provide some activities in the water or a toy to help them cool down.”
Tigers cool down at a Thai zoo amid rising temperatures 🐅 pic.twitter.com/SmNPzsSdMZ
— Reuters (@Reuters) April 2, 2021
During the summer months, the tigers are fed chicken encased in ice blocks, or frozen chicken popsicles, twice daily.
Thailand’s hot season began at the end of February. Temperatures are expected to rise as high as 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit).
