As Rome sweltered this week, the city’s zoo turned to ice.
At Bioparco Zoo, giraffes, hippos, tapirs, capybaras, lemurs and seals were given frozen fruit, vegetables, fish and specially prepared ice treats to help cool them down and encourage natural behaviour.
Zoo staff also kept pools cooled and indoor spaces climate-controlled for the species most sensitive to heat, as temperatures in the Italian capital were forecast to reach 36 to 37 degrees Celsius.
The Italian Ministry of Health issued its highest heat warning as a prolonged heatwave affected much of the country.
Bioparco zoological supervisor Yitzhak Yadid said some amphibious species need air-conditioned shelters or water-cooling systems to survive extreme temperatures.
Seals at the zoo are kept in pools maintained below 25 degrees Celsius to stop them overheating.
The zoo said the cooling measures also act as environmental enrichment, keeping animals active while reducing the effects of prolonged summer heat.
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