How Riverbanks Zoo helps their animals beat the summer heat
COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - With Friday’s heat index exceeding 100 degrees, people in the Midlands are not the only ones who must worry about beating the heat.
Animals at Riverbanks Zoo are also feeling the strain of standing out in the summer weather.
Riverbank Zoo and Garden’s Curator of Behavioral Husbandry, Andrea Mueller, says just like people, their animals experience symptoms like lethargy and heavy breathing, when exposed to dangerously hot weather like on July 5. The zoo has specific temperature guidelines to help their animals stay cool.
“Depending on what the temperature is, the reach is, and what time of day will depend on what we do with the animals,” Mueller said, “We are monitoring our animals all the time throughout the day.”
Some animals like sea lions, river otters and grizzly bears prefer to get in the water, which the zoo makes sure is clean and temperature regulated. Other animals like the white rhinos utilize cool mud pits they roll around to regulate their body temperature.
If the animals are not handling the summer weather well, Mueller said they can get them out of the elements.
“If we see a situation where one of our animals is having trouble handling the heat, we’ll take care of that by bringing the animal inside, or supplying them with the things they need to stay cool,” said Mueller.
Although the extreme summer temperatures have started to ramp up a little earlier in 2024 compared to previous summers, Mueller said their animals can withstand the heat with their help.
She said the Zoo keeps a close eye to make sure animals are comfortable. She and staff around the Zoo make sure they have plenty of cool water, shade, air conditioning for certain species, and ice they can eat.
“(We are) definitely making sure we are cognizant of how the animals are doing in this type of weather and always monitoring them,” Mueller said. “We don’t want them to get to the point where they’re having an issue; a heat episode.”
Mueller said the Zoo uses these guidelines not just during the summertime. The zoo helps animals stay comfortable as the climate changes year-round.
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