Special care cold comfort for animals during snap

IT seems the recent cold snap is freezing the proverbials off more than brass monkeys — the real ones in the country’s wildlife parks and zoos have also had enough.

Used to more exotic climes, the monkeys, cheetahs and giraffes are, according to staff at Fota Wildlife Park, finding it hard to cope with the wet and slushy weather of wintry County Cork.

Peering out from their houses, the animals certainly seem to be dreaming of sunnier times in July and August, although that’s certainly not guaranteed in this country.

But to their credit, the keepers in Fota are determined to boost the morale of the animals during the latest cold snap.

“We keep an extra eye on them during the cold weather and we give them an extra bit of food, stuff like their favourite fruit, some treats, things like that.

“Like ourselves, they like a little boost in the cold,” said operations manager at Fota, Tony O’Dwyer.

Staff also regularly inspect heaters in the animals’ housing to ensure that they are warm enough.

“We make sure that their houses are cosy for them and that all the heaters are working just in case one of them breaks down,” said Mr O’Dwyer.

He also pointed out, however, that some animals are more put out by the cold snap than others — preferring to remain in the warmth of their houses instead of frolicking outdoors, in the snow.

“Giraffes don’t particularly like this cold weather. They stay in their housing mainly and just stick their heads out the door and look.

“However, all the animals are acclimatised to the weather in Ireland,” he said.

Monkeys, it seems, are particularly put out by the recent weather conditions.

“Primates generally like to sit out and bask in the sun. When you pass the monkey islands in this weather, you see them huddled together looking out at you.

“They tend to stay in more and make use of the houses which have heaters,” Mr O’Dwyer said.

In Dublin Zoo, it is much the same story, although the primates there are more willing to venture outside.

With a heavier snowfall, the tactile chimpanzees seem to be quite fascinated by their new white landscape.

“The chimps are very entertaining. They pick it up and examine it and let it fall through their hands as they would have never seen it before,” said keeper Helen Clarke.

Of course, Ms Clarke points out that some animals seem to positively thrive in the wintry weather.

“The hippos are not bothered at all by the weather. In Longleat [a wildlife park in England], they break through the ice in the lakes there. And obviously, the penguins are delighted, it’s like a holiday for them,” she said.

And given the sheer lack of snow the humble Irish penguin gets to experience, who could begrudge them.