Several weeks of warmer than average weather has certainly kept our keepers at Werribee Open Range Zoo working hard. Just like us, most animals can feel very lethargic in extreme heat, and enjoy an icy treat or splash in the water to cool down.
Our Gorilla keepers have enlisted the help of Zoos Victoria’s volunteers to keep our primate friends chilled out during this ongoing heat wave. Our enthusiastic volunteers construct enrichment items for the gorillas several times each week. These items are used to keep our super smart Great Apes active by extending their feeding times, and by providing variety and challenging stimuli in their environment.
One of the favorite food treats for our Gorillas are ice blocks. These can have sultanas, fruit, vegetables, cordial and other yummy stuff frozen inside which the gorillas then have to figure out how to get to. Motaba, our silverback gorilla loves to smash his iceblock on rocks or logs to break it up and get to the good stuff as quickly as possible! Our younger gorillas tend to be a little more patient, and enjoy licking the ice blocks as they melt.
Visitors love watching the gorillas with their cool treats on a hot day and the gorillas certainly seem to enjoy them. As a keeper, it’s always satisfying to see the animals you care for exploring, playing and occupied. After all, our job is to make sure they are happy and healthy. And it’s even better when we help them cool off and chillax!
You can find out more about our gorilla group here or come visit and meet them for yourself!
Leah Ice block is what Gorillas have to Eat Everyone eats Different things and I know more I’m 9 your 20
