Award-winning Oxfordshire photographer and Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society Philip Joyce captured these stunning images of various animals at Cotswold Wildlife Park being treated to cooling enrichments in the heatwave.
They feature the Park’s oldest resident, George the Giant Tortoise (86-years old), enjoying a shower from Reptile keeper Meg & Tamanduas (also known as Lesser Anteaters) sticking their long noses into watermelons.
Meanwhile, in Lemur exhibit ‘Madagascar’, a Red Bellied Lemur youngster named Matiz adored the frozen rainbow smoothies so much, he wouldn’t let his mum Maren anywhere near the ice enrichment.
The most surprising reaction came from the breeding Emu pair, Monty and Margo when Bird keeper Issy turned on the sprinkler. Monty immediately ran straight over and bathed under the fine spray, even laying down and rolling around on the ground, much to the amusement of visitors curiously watching him enjoy the sprinkler. Whenever Issy moved the position of the spray, Monty followed her.
Chris Kibbey, Assistant Animal Manager at Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens said: “With a heatwave forecast, it is important that animals have access to shade and water at all times. It is also a good opportunity for keepers to use their enrichment skills to ensure that all the animals could cool off in novel ways. The Lemurs had frozen smoothies made using ingredients from their normal diet – berries, pear and even carrot blended up made delicious rainbow treats which they enjoyed. Who doesn’t like a cold shower on a hot day? Emus Monty and Margo came straight over when keeper Issy turned on their sprinkler and although Humboldt Penguins come from Chile and Peru where it is hot, our British-born Penguins still appreciate a hose down when it is particularly warm. Sometimes, simply freezing an animals’ diet in an ice block provides a stimulating challenge for them, as was the case for the Binturong cubs who enjoyed experiencing ice for the first time. Watermelon is a delicious summer treat and perfect for our Tamandua who use their strong claws to break through the skin before using their snout and tongue to lap up the insides. Finally, not to be left out, George the Giant Tortoise, the Park’s oldest resident at 85, and his friends appreciated a hose down before slowly wandering to their pool for a soak”.
Cotswold Wildlife Park is one of the largest zoological collections in the UK, with over 1,500 animals from 250 different species, set in 160 acres of beautiful parkland with plenty of space to enjoy nature.
Please find more information below.
www.cotswoldwildlifepark.co.uk
