By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The hot days of July have arrived. Temperatures are expected to be in
the 90s or close to 100 for the next week in the Golden Belt.
Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo Curator Ashley Burdick said zoo staff is extra
careful and attentive to their animals’ needs during this heat.
"A lot of the animals have lived here most of their lives so they're kind of accustomed to it," said Burdick. "When we have that extreme heat for several days in a row and it does not cool down at night, that's when it gets dangerous. For instance, our Arctic foxes are not built for as hot as it has been so they're one we're really careful with."
The zoo recently posted a video on social media of staff spraying the grizzly
bears with water to cool them down.
For the more heat-sensitive animals, the zoo provides air conditioning shelters.
All the animals have options to beat the heat.
"All the animals have at least a fan in their building," said Burdick. "We'll leave them with access. That's why when people are visiting, not all the animals will be out. They have the choice to go back inside if they want. The animals might have a sprinkler, pool or mister in their yards."
Burdick said the turkey vultures are the only animals at the zoo that aren’t cowering
in the shade all day, as they like to do a little sunning.
Burdick added if you want to see the animals, the best time to visit the zoo is during the morning before the temperature rises.