Latest news with #Drusillas
Daily Mail
14 hours ago
- Climate
- Daily Mail
An ice lolly fur this heat! Zoo animals cool off with a treat on Britain's hottest day of the year - after temperatures soared to scorching 32.2C
The tube at rush hour is not for the faint of heart - especially not during a heatwave. But for sweaty commuters - and likely all other Brits who are struggling to keep cool as the mercury soars above 30C today in some areas - spare a thought for our furrier friends who might also not have access to aircon. Zookeepers at Drusillas in Sussex have had to resort to unconventional ways to help stop their animals from overheating yesterday - the same afternoon an amber health alert was issued. Frozen 'treats' on Popsicle sticks were created in efforts to keep animals cool on what was the hottest day of the year so far. While animals cannot eat the same ice cream as humans can, they have special versions stacked with foods like peanuts, seeds, fresh herbs, and even herbal teas. Enthusiasm varied across the park, with the meerkats spotted furiously licking to get to the tasty treats inside while the macaques took a much more laid back approach enjoying a slow nibble. The armadillos attacked theirs with full force and the camels wasted no time taking huge chomps. Zoo Section Leader, Jacinta Dawe, said: 'We use these ice lollies to keep the animals cool in the heat because animals do not sweat in the same way humans do. 'The animals just want to get their paws on the rewards hidden in the lollies, but as they grab, lick, nibble and break them down, their mouths and paws are cooled. 'The food inside is carefully measured and taken from their normal daily food allowance so although it's lots of fun to see them with ice lollies, they still sit within their monitored diets.' She added: 'Ice lollies are a great way to keep the animals cool, but they also serve an enrichment purpose as well. 'Making the animals work for their food in creative ways, helps to stimulate them mentally and physically and forces them to use their instincts to look for food as they would in the wild.' As well as the avant-garde gelato, the animals also had access to plenty of water and shade at the zoo - which saw a high of 26C. Sprinklers have also been set up so that they can douse themselves during the day and keepers also hose down animals intermittently to bring down their body temperature. Ms Dawe said: 'Some species at Drusillas really enjoy the heat and you'll spot them sunbathing, for instance our lemurs. They are sun worshippers that love to stretch out and catch some rays. 'But other animals, like our red pandas, don't enjoy the warm weather quite as much, so we lower the temperature in their habitats by spraying the area with a hose. Having the food as an ice lolly also helps to stimulate the animals mentally and physically by forcing them to use their instincts to look for food as they would in the wild 'This additional water provides extra moisture in the air and the tree canopy, replicating the panda's natural environment and helping to keep them cool.' 'Other species, for example our giant anteater Raya, likes to actively bathe to cool off. 'So, we created her very own shower for her in warm weather, which she absolutely loves. 'Her all-time favourite way to "chill" is bathing in the anteater pool while being showered with water. 'We treated her to this today and she was thrilled, rolling around in the water to show her appreciation. 'Bathing is also great for her skin and coat, and a fun enrichment activity, so it's a fantastic experience for her all round.' Temperatures in central London soared to 32.2C yesterday afternoon - making it the first day in 2025 to reach 30C and the hottest day of the year so far. There are expected similar highs today and 34C predicted for tomorrow. The Government's UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) activated a five-day alert from midday Thursday until Monday morning amid concerns that the heat could cause 'a rise in deaths, particularly among those ages 65 and over or with health conditions'. The warning said 'significant impacts are likely across health and social care services due to the high temperatures' along with 'increased demand for power exceeding capacity' and 'heat affecting the ability of the workforce to deliver services'. The UKHSA has previously placed most of England apart from the North under a lesser yellow heat-health until Sunday evening, but this has now been upgraded. It is the first amber heat-health alert to be issued for two years since September 2023. The heatwave is likely to officially end after Saturday, but the weather from Sunday into the middle of next week will stay warm with a range of 24C (75F) to 26C (79F).
The Independent
06-03-2025
- General
- The Independent
Visitor backlash after popular zoo closes farm over unnamed disease risk
A beloved 100-year-old British zoo has sparked backlash among visitors by closing down a petting farm over disease fears without naming any specific threat. Drusillas Park in Alfriston, East Sussex, said the zoo had a responsibility to design its spaces with biosecurity in mind while also underscoring it had 'not experienced any issues of disease risk'. It was founded in 1925 and is home to camels, ant-eaters, penguins, red pandas and the world's smallest species of monkey - as well as farm animals loved and cherished by the village's residents. In February, the zoo announced it had made the 'difficult decision' to close the farm and find 'loving new homes' for the animals including goats, sheep, a milking cow and a donkey. 'A key factor behind this decision is the growing risk of environmental diseases, which can impact farm animals, visitors, and the wider zoo community,' it said, before clarifying the decision related to the 'potential risk of disease spread, specific to our farm's layout, location and infrastructure, which was originally designed many many years ago.' 'The health and safety of our visitors and staff remains our top priority, and this redevelopment will create a safer environment for everyone.' The zoo later said in a statement it had not experienced 'any issues of disease risk' and the site, which attracts between 350,000 and 370,000 visitors per year, was safe to visit. Instead, Drusillas said it had closed the farm in order to align the zoo with 'ever-evolving best practices in modern zoo management'. The announcement prompted a flood of social media comments from visitors expressing their disappointment in the decision. Vikki Harnblow, of nearby town Uckfield, said: 'This is so sad that members of the public did not get a chance to give their views before a decision was made. 'The farm area is a classic part of Drusillas. I think losing the farm will be a huge loss. I will be hugely sad to see it go.' Member of eight years Carly Jocelyn said: 'We've loved Drusillas but without the farm it just won't be the same. Thank you for the happy memories, I hope the animals find lovely retirement homes.' Louise Michele, of Eastbourne, said: 'A zoo getting rid of animals for another experience does not seem ideal. 'These are the animals that children can get up close to without glass between them. Shame to lose that experience.' A Drusillas Park spokesperson told The Independent: 'We have chosen to re-home our farm animals to wonderful new homes and create an exciting, interactive space for our visitors to enjoy. 'We are committed to the safety and welfare of our visitors, staff, and animals and remain dedicated to the highest industry standards. 'While we have always maintained high welfare standards, the layout and infrastructure of our farm area have presented increasing challenges over time, and as a zoo we have a responsibility to constantly evolve and design our spaces with biosecurity in mind.'
