Animals at the Phoenix Zoo in Arizona, known for its scorching summer heatwaves, received an unexpected treat: their first snow of the season. Zoo staff and others created this winter wonderland using over 500 bags of ice, delighting dozens of animals.
Creating the Snow
On Friday, zoo staff transformed the ice into snowflakes, creating a snowy paradise for the animals. From tortoises to Chutti the greater one-horned rhino, Indu the Asian elephant, African painted dogs, cheetahs, leopards, tigers, and primates, the zoo’s residents explored and played in their new snowy habitats.
Animal Reactions
While some animals, like Indu and Chutti, playfully interacted with the snow, others were more cautious, taking their time to adjust. “It just stimulates their senses in ways they wouldn’t experience every day,” said Linda Hardwick, vice-president of marketing, communications, and events at the zoo.
Snow Delivery
A giant truck delivered 10 tons of ice, which was fed into a snow machine to produce the snow. Zookeepers then distributed the snow across the zoo’s habitats, creating a frosty playground for the animals.
Positive Feedback
“Everything was positive, and I think the animals loved it,” said Todd Mather, an owner of Mather Bros, the ice company that supported the snow event.
Treats for the Animals
Zookeepers entered the habitats through side gates to spread the snow and place treats while the animals were in their night houses. Once the animals ventured out, they found frozen fish-sicles for the tigers, blood-sicles for the African painted dogs, meat-filled hollowed watermelons for the leopards and hyenas, and a 20-gallon ice treat packed with electrolyte-flavored drink and frozen fruits for Indu the elephant. The orangutans also enjoyed a frozen electrolyte drink mix and various fruits.
Public Enjoyment
Families in Phoenix flocked to the zoo to witness the snowy event. “It’s really fun to see our guests experience something new,” Hardwick said. “They don’t usually see snow in Arizona, especially not in the summer.”
Zoo Visitor Information
The Phoenix Zoo, which attracts about 1.3 million visitors annually, emphasized its reduced hours from June to August to prevent heat-related problems. The zoo focuses on keeping animals suited to hotter climates, steering clear of polar bears and certain penguins.
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