Kid the mandrill ponders a frozen nectarine, provided to help him cool off in 31-degree heat. Picture: WILL SWAN
TRYING to cool down can be a hard task when its 30 degrees, but imagine what it is like for an animal.
That is why Tasmania Zoo staff have been giving their animals frozen raspberry icicles, frozen peaches and even the occasional frozen meats.
Zoo life science manager and curator Caroline Shemwell said ice blocks were the perfect way for animals to cool down over the weekend's 30-degree heat.
``It's like having an ice-block but we can't feed them those . . . because they are full of sugar and it's not healthy for them, so this is a better alternative,'' Ms Shemwell said.
And by the way the monkeys frolicked around their enclosures, trying to smash the icicles on the ground, it seems as though they enjoyed them.
``It gives them something different to play with and it feels good and different,'' Ms Shemwell said.
Ms Shemwell said the zoo would continue to freeze the fruits with water until temperature dropped from the 30s.
The temperature toped 31 degrees in Launceston yesterday and is expected to stay above 30 degrees until Thursday.
Devonport is expected to average 25 degrees in the next five days, while Hobart averages 26.1 degrees.