As Guangzhou swelters under a relentless sun, the city has switched to "sauna mode." While humans can retreat into air-conditioned rooms during the persistently high temperatures, how do our beloved zoo animals beat the heat?

On the morning of July 9^th, in the cool embrace of an air-conditioned sanctuary set at a perfect 22 degrees Celsius, the zoo's giant pandas, "Xingyi" and "Yayi," indulged in a delightful summertime feast, including a medley of "fruit juice popsicles," "chilled fruit baskets," and "winter melon bowls," all crafted by their dedicated keepers. Leisurely dipping in their private pool, taking a bath, and cuddling with colossal ice blocks for a cozy afternoon nap, these pandas are living the high life of leisure. 

"Giant pandas prefer to stay indoors when temperatures soar above 26 degrees Celsius," explains panda keeper Long Qixi, "Each indoor exhibit is equipped with four air conditioners to maintain the ideal 22-degree Celsius environment." The pandas' habitat is further enhanced with heatstroke prevention facilities, such as water pools and ice beds, and seasonal enrichments made from lotus leaves, corn leaves, and apple pieces, ensuring a vibrant and engaging living space.

The zoo's chimpanzees are also treated to air conditioning, coupled with a unique Cantonese summer soup that is tailored to their dietary needs. Keeper Yao Shiming reveals that the soups are carefully formulated to provide therapeutic benefits, such as dampness drying in spring, heat-clearing and thirst-wasting in summer, and lung-moistening in winter. These nourishing soups are then lovingly spoon-fed to the chimpanzees.

As the weather heats up, the zoo's staff are vigilant in their efforts to prevent animals from heatstroke. They closely monitor the condition of animals in the outdoor exercise areas during high temperatures and have implemented various methods to cool them down, such as installing sprinkler systems, setting up "sun umbrellas," and feeding them heat-relieving fruits.

As the sun's rays intensify, people take to the streets with "sun umbrellas" to shield themselves from the harsh sunlight. Similarly, the Chinese snub-nosed monkeys exhibit also takes advantage of umbrella-shaped climbing structures and pavilions that provide shade, while a misting system envelops their exhibit in a refreshing, ethereal fog, adding a touch of fantasy to the sweltering summer days. 

The "melon-eating experts," hippos enjoy the keeper's extra servings of watermelon with their juicer-like mouths, and elephants delight in the cooling spray from the zoo's bathing facilities to cool off and protect their skin with their noses; the lesser pandas comfortably cuddle on an oversized ice pillow. In Guangzhou Zoo, all furry and feathered friends are kept cool and content with a variety of bespoke "chilling" solutions.

Source :Yangcheng Evening News

叹空调、饮靓汤，广州动物园“毛孩子”避暑有“凉方”

连日来广州市已连续多次发布高温预警信号，广州正式步入“桑拿模式”。人类面对持续高温天气时可以躲入空调房中，“毛孩子”们又当如何防暑降温？

7月9日上午， 在恒温22摄氏度的空调房内，大熊猫“星一”“雅一”正慢吞吞地品尝保育员制作的“果汁棒冰”“冰镇果篮”“冬瓜盅”等夏日消暑大餐，偶尔还会在“私家泳池”戏水、泡澡，或抱着巨型冰块美美睡午觉，十分惬意悠然。

“天气超过26摄氏度时大熊猫就不会去室外运动场，而室内每个展厅各有4台空调，保证大熊猫最适宜的温度22摄氏度。”大熊猫保育员龙绮茜介绍道，大熊猫展厅内设置了水池、冰床等降温防暑设施，保育员还会依据时令特点，采用荷叶、玉米叶、苹果块等精心制作季节限定丰容，以丰富“星一”“雅一”的生活环境。

除了大熊猫兄妹，动物园还有黑猩猩也会“叹空调”避暑，而它还有个独家“神器”——广式消暑汤。保育员姚诗明她告诉记者，保育员会根据黑猩猩的食性，考虑汤水的食疗功效，准备好春日祛湿、夏日清热解渴、冬季润肺等四季应时的专属汤方，煲好后再用小勺子细致地喂给黑猩猩。

天气炎热，为何动物们还能生机勃勃？防户外中暑也是一件要事。广州动物园的工作人员密切关注高温天气下动物在户外运动场的状况，通过开设喷淋设施、撑起“遮阳伞”、投喂消暑水果等驱暑“法宝”，想尽办法为动物防暑降温。

日光越来越强，出行时人们纷纷撑起“遮阳伞”，而金丝猴一家也选择“撑伞防晒”。步入金丝猴展区，映入眼帘的便是伞状攀爬支架和凉亭等遮阳设施。高处的喷雾系统则持续喷出如气雾般的细小水珠，防暑降温的同时打造一片烟雾缭绕的“仙境”，为炎炎夏日增添奇幻之美。

“吃瓜大户”河马憨态可掬地倚靠在岸边等待饲养员投喂额外加餐的西瓜，大嘴巴如同榨汁机般，一口一个品尝清甜的果肉和汁水；爱洗澡的大象站在喷淋装置下，用鼻子吸足池水灵活喷洒全身，通过洗澡来消暑和保护皮肤；小熊猫惬意地抱住比它体型更大的冰枕……在广州动物园内，更多贴合动物习性的“降温小妙招”正让“毛孩子”们乐不思“暑”。

文 | 记者 孙牧
图 | 记者 陈秋明
翻译 | 史洋溢