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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
World
Nicola Davis Science correspondent

Lion’s aid: blood ice lollies keep big cats cool at London zoo

Arya holds and licks a dark red block of ice hanging from a rope
Arya the lioness enjoying a blood lolly at London zoo on Sunday. Photograph: ZSL

A hot bank holiday weekend might see humans flock to the beach, don summer hats and crack open a cold beer, but when it comes to keeping big cats cool, zoos turn to a rather different treat: blood lollies.

While experts note habitats within zoos are carefully tuned to their inhabitants’ needs, with areas of shade, water, sun and mud as appropriate, animals have tactics of their own to cope with the heat.

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