Feb 2, 2007 7:15 pm US/Eastern
Zoo Animals Cope With Winter Weather
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) ―
Many of the animals at the Pittsburgh Zoo aren't used to the cold temperatures – especially the extreme single digit temps our area is expecting.
You'd think it would pose a problem for zoo keepers, but that's not necessarily the case.
The African Wild Dogs are indigenous to a hot, dry climate, but Karen Vacco, lead primate keeper at the zoo, says they dogs don't bark about the cold.
"[It's] probably their first snow ever I would assume. So we weren't real sure how they would handle it," Vacco said.
She says even in the chilly temperatures, the African Wild Dogs are out playing in the yard.
Vacco says they even grew thicker coats to adapt.
If the dogs get too cold, their building door is always open where they have heated floors and plenty of bedding.
The extreme cold temps over the weekend, according to Vacco, will likely keep them holed up there.
The cheetah, their neighbor, has the same set up.
Over in the lion's exhibit, they have a rock on which they rest that's heated to about 90 degrees.
Willie Theison, elephant manager, says they don't mind the cold and get out a few hours every day.
"We've actually had days where we let the bull out in the main exhibit. He's actually broken ice up in the pool to go swimming," he said.
Theison adds, however, that ice can be dangerous.
"We have to be very careful with the ice. If they slip they could have major problems if they hurt a joint or a leg. Or get a sprain."
The Amur Tiger cubs love this weather as well, but not all of the animals at the zoo are thrilled with the deep freeze.
The Philippine crocodiles can't take the cold.
Neither can the American alligator, or any of the reptiles.
Henry Kacprzyk, curator of Kids Kingdom, says they have a reptile holding house which is kept at 86 degrees with heated pools and floors.
The zoo goes to great lengths to ensure the health of its animals.
Typically it's the visitors who are more uncomfortable with the big chill.
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