Cold adapted species in tropical or sub-tropical zoos

C

CGSwans

Well-Known Member
15+ year member
Looking at ISIS, there's a number of animals from polar or montane regions that are adapted to cold conditions, that are nevertheless displayed in zoos in tropical or sub-tropical environments. Examples would be the polar bears at Singapore and snow leopards at San Diego, though I'm sure there are others.

I'm just curious as to what measures zoos can take to ensure that these animals are healthy and comfortable in an environment that they are not well suited to?
 
Snow leopards are commonly kept in zoos throughout the US, including many places that are far hotter and more humid (in the summer) than San Diego ever gets. San Diego has a very pleasant climate, but in no way can be called tropical or subtropical. It's really a coastal temperate desert that has been artificially irrigated.
 
Ah, my mistake. I'm in Australia and was going with the more generic South Californian climate. However, the question remains, even if you discard the specific example.
 
@CGSwans:
-Adequate shade (minimum)
-Cooled indoor retreats
-ice blocks/frozen food/treats (like frozen blood, fish etc.)
- for water-loving species: adequate water bassins or showers with a hose
-all work procedures that could stress the animals either done early in the morning or late in the evening (if at all)
-in some cases: shaving...:)
 
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