Woburn's animals chill out as temperatures soar

With temperatures as high as 33°C this week the animals at Woburn Safari Park are being given iced treats to help them keep cool.
Animals cool off at Woburn Safari Park. Picture:Bridget Davey Photography / Woburn Safari ParkAnimals cool off at Woburn Safari Park. Picture:Bridget Davey Photography / Woburn Safari Park
Animals cool off at Woburn Safari Park. Picture:Bridget Davey Photography / Woburn Safari Park

In the midst of heatwave-like conditions, keepers at the park are treating endangered Barbary macaques and North American black bears to homemade fruit ice lollies.

After gobbling the lollies (made with water, whole fruit pieces and nuts), in the shade, the macaques and bears took the opportunity to go for a dip in the refreshing water pools in their respective parkland reserves.

Chris Smart, Team Leader (Reserves), said: “Animal welfare is very important to us at Woburn which is why we constantly monitor the environment of each species to make sure that they are healthy and comfortable.

Animals cool off at Woburn Safari Park. Picture:Bridget Davey Photography / Woburn Safari ParkAnimals cool off at Woburn Safari Park. Picture:Bridget Davey Photography / Woburn Safari Park
Animals cool off at Woburn Safari Park. Picture:Bridget Davey Photography / Woburn Safari Park

“Each of the reserves offers plenty of shade and a number of pools for them to bathe and play in. When the weather gets hotter we regularly give them ice lollies as treats, freezing some of their favourite foods to help them cool down. They’re always a firm favourite with the animals.”

Woburn is home to a large troop of Barbary macaques which can be found roaming in a 14 acre woodland reserve, alongside Patas monkeys and a herd of Eastern mountain bongos. Endangered, Barbary macaques are now vulnerable to extinction in the wild as numbers are dwindling because of habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.

The park is also home to seven adult North America black bears which live in a spacious 13 acre reserve on the Road Safari with Canadian timber wolves. Earlier this spring, keepers found three unexpected bear cubs hiding inside an oak tree. The cubs are the first to be born at the park in 18 years and Woburn is the only place in the UK that the public can see North American black bears.

To book or for more information, visit www.woburnsafari.co.uk