Heatwaves of 2019: Whether it's your pooch or a lion at the zoo, animals need to stay cool too

LANSING – As extreme heat persists, it can be deadly both to humans and to our fluffy, scaly and feathery friends.

That's why, on hot days at Potter Park Zoo, you might see the ring-tailed lemurs munching on frozen watermelon – or the otters breaking apart ice blocks with tasty fish frozen inside.

Sarah Foote, who manages the zoo's animal welfare program and other animal programs, said the frozen treats are just one of the many options staff provide the animals to help them stay cool and comfortable.

Some animals, like spider monkeys and lions, are more adapted to the heat because of where their species typically are found, Foote said.

Those animals will still get frozen treats and plenty of fresh water, but keepers might not put misters or streams in their exhibits.

Keepers consider a number of factors – including species requirements, the animal’s age, whether it’s shedding or molting, the exhibit’s particular features and location, how much shade is available and more – when determining what to give each of its more than 160 species to help them stay cool and content.

Top on the list for every animal is hydration: Keepers make sure the animals in their care always have access to clean, freshwater. While visitors might not always be able to see the source of the water, each exhibit offers the animals freshwater, mostly using an automatic watering tube.

"As they move the water tubes, freshwater comes out," Foote explained. 

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The zoo also uses water in sprinklers, misters and other water features to help cool off some of the animals.

A misting system that zoo staff made using a PVC pipe and a hose helps cool off the red pandas' exhibit. 

Foote said that creates "a little microclimate" that helps the red pandas, which tend to prefer cooler temperatures, stay outside without overheating. The red pandas also have access to an air-conditioned building that's part of the exhibit.

The otters can dart in and out of three pools and a stream, and tigers can lounge in a deep pool or play in a stream in their exhibit.

And the water in the Magellanic penguin exhibit is kept at 55 degrees, Foote said. 

Because the penguins can sunburn, there's a giant canopy over their exhibit that also helps keep them cool. The exhibit also has misters that staff can turn on when temperatures reach extreme highs. 

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There's a sprinkler in the black rhino exhibit, and staff create mud wallows for the two rhinos to roll around in – that helps them cool off and keep bugs away, Foote said. 

Keepers also make sure animals have the option to head indoors when they choose, Foote said. The indoor areas of the exhibits are air conditioned. 

Keeping your pet cool

People can use a lot of what the zoo does to help keep their own pets cool. 

There are some easy ways to make sure pets stay safe, said Julia Willson, CEO of the Capital Area Humane Society.

Helping your furry friend avoid heat exhaustion can be as simple as providing fresh, clean water and shade, she said, or simply bringing them inside.

"Whenever the temperatures are extreme, our recommendation is always to bring them inside," Willson said.

People also should limit how much their pets are exercising in extreme heat.

Willson said to limit them to short walks outside for potty breaks and generally try to encourage them to stay quiet and calm.

She added it's important to keep an eye on your pets, especially very young animals, older animals and species with flat faces.

And she stressed another common-sense piece of advice: Never leave your dog in a parked car.

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In the extreme temperatures the Greater Lansing area has seen recently, it takes just 15 minutes for the inside of a car to reach 140 degrees.

Willson also advised people to beware of things they might not typically think about, such as the effect walking on hot concrete can have on an animal's paw pads. She said people should test any surface they plan to walk their pets on.

"If you can’t hold your hand there for 10 seconds, you definitely shouldn’t expect your pet to be able to walk on it," she said.

Contact reporter Megan Banta at (517) 377-1261 or mbanta@lsj.com. Follow her on Twitter @MeganBanta_1.