Rio de Janeiro’s brutal summer heat has reached 122 degrees Fahrenheit in a few recent days, prompting locals to cool off in the ocean. However, there weren’t many options for the residents of the City Zoo, until a team of experts began offering them exotic frozen treats.
The flavors of ice that are given to carnivores at the zoo are not found in a typical summer place: chicken, ground beef and bovine blood. But Simba, the 14-year-old lion, and Poty, the 3-year-old black jaguar, enjoy it.
“This is part of our wellness program. We have many activities to include something different in your routine,” said Marina Moraes, a zoo biologist.
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In this photo taken through a glass window, a black jaguar licks ice treats at the city zoo in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on January 27, 2023.
(AP Photo/Silvia Izquierdo)
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The ice provides cooling relief for the animals, who take their time eating it, and the feeding ritual is a novel spectacle for visitors. That was the case of an Argentine family that came to the zoo for the first time.
“It is fantastic because there is this terrible heat and above all there is a lot of humidity. We sweat even though there is no sun, it is different from Argentina, ”said lawyer Lorena López, who was with her husband and her children. “I think it’s perfect for the animals to have their ice.”
Many of the children were fascinated with the activity, and expressed surprise to learn the ingredients of the different flavors, which vary according to the species.
“For primates, we offer fruit ice creams, which are sweet and more colorful,” Moraes said. “Herbivores can taste kale, squash, and carrots.”
