Keepers at Cotswold Wildlife Park have taken some great photos and videos of animals at the attraction in the snow this week including White Rhinos investigating the snow, Asiatic Lioness Khana intrigued by the snowflakes, Monty the Emu rather bemused by it all and Red Panda Iris (below) who is revelling in the arctic conditions.
Red Panda Iris took the arctic blast in her stride. Perfectly adapted to living in colder climates, Red Pandas have hair on the soles of their feet, helping them to navigate wet and treacherous slippery branches, icy rocks and snow-covered ground in their natural habitat. Keepers are busy looking after the animals at the park in this weather. Where needed, any animals that prefer the warmth are provided with heated enclosures and will usually choose to stay indoors when the UK gets particularly cold weather and snow. However, some species love this time of year, such as Iris, who enjoyed being out and about while the snow fell.
Critically endangered Bactrian Camel Elsa embraced the snow when Mammal Keeper Willimijn took the photo below of her. Her indoor house was just a few feet behind her but she much preferred being outside in the snow. Bactrian Camels are a prime example of environmental adaptation. They inhabit Central and East Asia’s rocky deserts where temperatures can reach over 100°F but can also drop to –20°F in winter. Their thick, shaggy fur can cope with the freezing temperatures and it moults as the seasons change, allowing them to survive in the unrelenting heat. They can close their nostrils and use their double row of long eyelashes to keep sand out of their eyes.
White Rhino D’ora (main image), who was born in July 2020, was incredibly curious about the snow, as was White Rhino Nancy and the park’s newest Rhino arrival – Queenie (who was named in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for her Platinum Jubilee).
Unfortunately, due to extreme weather conditions, the park is shut today but Chris Kibbey, Assistant Animal Manager at Cotswold Wildlife Park, said: “Although we are currently closed, keepers are still working daily to ensure all the animals are well cared for. The snow has been welcomed by a few of the species, including the Red Pandas, Camels and Wolverine who would normally come from colder climates. Even the Capybaras (below) seemed to enjoy it, despite their relatives coming from South America. Any animals that aren’t a fan of this weather are provided with heated indoor enclosures.”
Jamie Craig, Curator of Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens, added: “All the animals have heated houses where needed and are currently unaware of the outside temperatures, unlike their keepers who have been busy removing snow from the roof of the aviaries and clearing pathways. It’s certainly not the weather for our tropical species but for a few, most notably the Reindeer, Wolverines and Pallas Cats, it is a favourite time of year and they are revelling in the arctic conditions.”
 Main image credit: Mammal Keeper Willemijn
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