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Zookeepers working to keep animals cool during heatwave
The zoo's Sumatran tigers have been cooling down in their pool.

Animals given frozen food and hose pipe showers at London Zoo.

As temperatures rise in the UK this week, keepers at London Zoo have been making sure that the animals in their care are kept cool.

Many of the animals are provided with pools which they can swim in to cool down on hot days. They also have access to sheltered spots in their outdoor enclosures so that they can choose to spend time in the shade when they need to.

Staff at the zoo have been giving animals ice lollies and other frozen food tailored to their nutritional needs, as well as using hose pipe showers to help animals feel comfortable during the late summer heatwave.

The zoo’s Sumatran tiger cubs Zac and Crispin have been among the animals making the most of the water in their enclosures to stay cool. The pair have been seen splashing and swimming around in their pool.

The species, which has webbed paws to help it swim, is the rarest subspecies of tiger in the world, with an estimated 300 left in the wild.

Kate Sanders, a keeper at the zoo, said: “Many of the animals have private pools like Zac and Crispin, and enjoy taking an invigorating dip when the weather heats up. Our colony of 72 Humboldt penguins have over 13,000 sq. ft of crystal-clear water in the UK’s largest penguin pool while pygmy hippos, Thug and Amara, can swap their hippo hot tub for their fresh-water moat on warm days like today.

“When we saw this week’s weather forecast, we also wasted no time making healthy ice lollies as late summer treats for the animals - all zoo nutritionist-approved. Our troop of critically endangered Western lowland gorillas go wild for frozen sugar-free fruit tea, the squirrel monkeys love to excavate nuts and veggies from blocks of ice, while the Humboldt penguins are particularly keen on frozen sprats.”

 

Image (C) ZSL

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Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

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Germany livestock import ban lifted

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