At the Almaty Zoo, additional cooling measures have been provided for animals due to the prolonged heat, reports infohub.kz.
Polar bear Purga, hippos, tapirs, and tigers cool off in pools. For rhinos, mud baths have been arranged, which help lower body temperature and protect skin from the sun and insects.
Elephants take dust baths. For camels, llamas, horses, yaks, bison, as well as large and small felines, a water mist system has been installed.
Some animals are also treated to fruit ice cream made from apricots, apples, cherries, and raspberries. The zoo noted that chimpanzees Pasha and Lola especially love this treat.
In Almaty, daytime temperatures on August 2 are expected to reach +36…+38°C. The city also remains under an extreme fire hazard.
Earlier, Kursiv reported that Threads users were concerned about the condition of polar bear Purga at the Almaty Zoo during the heat. Zoo administration stated that the animal is under constant supervision by staff and veterinarians, and its condition is not a cause for concern.
Purga has two pools with circulating cold water, a cooled den, and ice and snow generators are also used. The zoo added that the bear's low-activity behavior during hot hours is within physiological norms.