How Rome’s Bioparco Keeps Animals Cool with Custom Ice Treats
This summer, Rome is experiencing record-breaking temperatures—soaring past 35°C on many days. To help the Bioparco di Roma’s residents beat the heat, zookeepers have introduced a creative solution: species-specific ice cubes and frozen popsicles made from fruit or meat. From elephants to lemurs, each animal enjoys a refreshing, nutritious treat tailored to its dietary needs. Here’s an inside look at this cool initiative and how it promotes animal welfare.
Why Frozen Treats Matter in Extreme Heat
Excessive heat stress can compromise animal health by disrupting their thermoregulation, reducing appetite, and causing dehydration. In captivity, animals exercise less freedom to seek shade or cool water. By providing chilled snacks, the Bioparco ensures:
- Core Temperature Management: Frozen items help lower body temperature faster than water alone.
- Hydration Support: Many fruits are 80–90% water, delivering essential fluids as the animal munches.
- Enrichment: Popsicles stimulate foraging behavior, keeping animals mentally engaged during long, hot afternoons.
Crafting the Perfect Popsicle: Fruit vs. Meat
The key to this program’s success lies in creating safe, species-appropriate frozen treats. Nutritionists and veterinarians at the Bioparco collaborated to develop two main recipes:
- Fruit Popsicles (for herbivores and omnivores):
- Ingredients: seasonal fruits such as watermelon, melon, berries, and cucumber. Occasionally, a dash of honey for extra energy.
- Preparation: fruits are blended with water or diluted fruit juice, poured into molds, and frozen—some even include embedded branches or leaves for guided licking.
- Meat Ice Cubes (for carnivores and insectivores):
- Ingredients: pureed chicken, beef broth or fish stock, sometimes mixed with chopped veggies to mimic natural textures.
- Preparation: the nutrient-rich puree is poured into ice cube trays and frozen—zookeepers break larger cubes into bite-sized pieces for big cats or primates.
Species-Specific Preferences
Each animal species responds differently to these frozen treats:
- Elephants: Given large, vinegar-soaked watermelon cubes to encourage licking and trunk dexterity. They use their trunks to slowly tear and roll the icy treat, mimicking natural foraging.
- Primates: Squirrel monkeys and lemurs receive berry-and-yogurt popsicles. The portable sticks keep them busy and promote hand-eye coordination.
- Big Cats: Lions and cheetahs are offered meat cubes embedded in ice blocks, stimulating their natural teasing and hunting instincts as they chisel away.
- Birds: Parrots enjoy fruit slushes on shallow plates, sipping through straw-like beaks just as they would in the wild.
- Reptiles and Amphibians: Large ice blocks with embedded live insects are dropped into terrariums, encouraging reptiles to patiently wait for prey to thaw—an enrichment exercise that also cools their enclosure.
Behind the Scenes at Bioparco
Implementing this program requires careful coordination:
- Nutrition Team: Zookeeper dietitians calculate calorie counts and nutrient profiles to ensure each treat complements the daily menu without overfeeding.
- Veterinary Oversight: Vets approve recipes to avoid digestive issues, allergies, or excessive sugar intake for sensitive species.
- Logistics: A daily schedule lists which animals receive frozen treats, with preparation happening early in the morning when electricity demand is lower, and storage maintained at –18 °C.
Health and Enrichment Benefits
Early observations reveal notable improvements:
- Increased Hydration: Herbivores consume up to 15% more water when licking fruit popsicles compared to plain water bowls.
- Behavioral Engagement: Enclosures see less pacing and stereotypic behaviors as animals spend time exploring and eating the frozen delights.
- Thermal Comfort: Measured body temperatures drop by 2–3 °C immediately after treat consumption, reducing heat-related stress.
How You Can Help at Home
While we applaud the Bioparco’s initiative, pet owners can adapt similar ideas to protect their furry friends during heatwaves:
- DIY Fruit Pops: Blend dog-safe fruits (watermelon, berries) with water, freeze in ice cube trays, and offer in the shade.
- Plain Ice Cubes: For cats, simple ice cubes dropped in shallow bowls encourage cautious licks—never force them.
- Frozen Broth Treats: Freeze low-sodium chicken or beef broth into cubes for dogs to chew and sip.
- Supervised Licking: Always monitor pets with toys or treats to avoid choking on large ice pieces.
A Cool Trend in Animal Care
Rome’s Bioparco is pioneering a trend that combines welfare, enrichment and innovation. As heatwaves intensify worldwide, zoos and pet owners alike will need creative solutions to keep animals safe and content. Next time you stroll through the Bioparco’s shady pathways, you might spot a polar bear masterfully gnawing on a custom meat popsicle—an icy reminder that even the biggest creatures benefit from a little summer chill.
