Keepers at Drusilla's Zoo Park In Alfriston have had to come up with interesting ways to keep the monkeys cool while feeding them their favourite treats.
And layered ice lollies containing tea, mint and edible flowers seem to be keeping some of the residents amused.
The cooling concoctions were served up to a number of animals at the Sussex zoo, including capuchin monkeys, lemurs, coatis, and binturong containing various combinations of vegetables, herbs and greenery.
The squirrel monkeys showed off their big brains by smashing the lollies on rocks to get the treats out.
Deputy Head Keeper, Jamie Fryer, commented:
“We use these ice lollies to keep the animals cool in the heat because animals do not sweat in the same way humans do. Ultimately, the animals are after the rewards hidden within, but as they grab, lick, nibble and break down the ice lollies to get the food, their mouths and paws are cooled.
"The food hidden inside is carefully measured and taken from their normal daily food allowance so although it’s lots of fun to see them with ice lollies, they still sit within their monitored diets.”
Squirrel monkeys investigate mojito mocktail ice lollies
“Ice lollies are a great way to keep the animals cool, but they also serve an enrichment purpose as well. Making the animals work for their food in creative ways, helps to stimulate them mentally and physically and forces them to use their instincts to look for food as they would in the wild.”
Anna hands out ice lollies to lemurs.
Flowers and herbs are added to ice lollies.
Elsewhere in the zoo animals such as the flamingos have been combating the heat by walking around their waterfall, the capybaras and beavers have been taking long dips in their pool and the red pandas have been napping the day away in the shade of their trees.
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