BRATISLAVA, Aug. 4 (Xinhua) -- The currently hot weather period in Slovakia has influenced the feeding regimes in the ZOO′s throughout the country, reported by the local media on Saturday.
The National ZOO in Bojnice in the Northern Slovakia is introducing various measures, including specially prepared ice lollies. The ZOO spokesperson Simon Kubickova stressed that the zookeepers are regularly making sure that the animals have plenty of water to drink.
"In addition to that, the orangutans even get juice and lukewarm tea," she said, adding that the animals are also provided with a permanent area of shade so that they can hide from the sun, as they can also overheat or get heat-stroke.
"Some species can cool themselves in water, such as bears, elephants and birds. We also shower some animals, such as elephants, lions, bears and orangutans, and we're getting the parrots used to it as well. For elephants we also prepare special ice lollies, fruit covered in frozen juice", added Kubickova.
The ZOO in Kosice in the Eastern Slovakia has th largest territory compared to the other ZOO′s in Central Europe.
"Our animals have enough place for living. They can find easily shadows under the trees or other shelters. We also provide them sufficient access to fresh water," said the spokesperson of Kosice ZOO Eva Malesova.
The Bratislava ZOO has increased the consumption of the fresh fruits and vegetables during the hot weather period. According to the spokesperson of Bratislava City Zuzana Onufer orangutans, bears of chimpanzees like mainly the cooled water melons.