Lion’s aid: blood ice lollies keep big cats cool at London zoo

Animals have tactics of their own to cope with the heat, but zoo animals also get a little help from their keepers

A hot bank holiday weekend might see humans flock to the beach, don summer hats and crack open a cold beer, but when it comes to keeping big cats cool, zoos turn to a rather different treat: blood lollies.

While experts note habitats within zoos are carefully tuned to their inhabitants’ needs, with areas of shade, water, sun and mud as appropriate, animals have tactics of their own to cope with the heat.