Cotswold Wildlife Park Breaks Ice Enrichment Record in Heatwave
Cotswold Wildlife Park has broken its ice enrichment record as keepers helped animals stay cool during one of the hottest May heatwaves ever recorded
As temperatures climbed above 33 degrees in Oxfordshire, animal keepers at Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens were working around the clock to ensure residents remained comfortable during the exceptional spell of hot weather.
The extreme conditions prompted a record-breaking response from the animal teams, who produced more frozen treats, ice lollies and cooling enrichments than at any other point in the Park's fifty-six year history. Using natural ingredients taken from many animals' normal diets, keepers created a wide range of frozen refreshments tailored to species across the collection.
From towering Giraffes and Critically Endangered Bactrian Camels to playful Lemurs and curious Otters, animals throughout the Park were treated to specially prepared frozen treats designed to encourage natural behaviours while helping them stay cool.
The herd of Critically Endangered Bactrian Camels, including four-week-old calf Klaus, enjoyed a giant frozen cocktail made from carrot, cabbage, watermelon and apple. The impressive enrichment took more than two days to create, but the Camels made short work of it, devouring the icy feast in less than two hours.
Klaus, who is the first large mammal born at the Park this year, was particularly interested in the frozen enrichment and quickly became a favourite with visitors watching him investigate and enjoy the cooling treat. Bactrian Camels remain one of the world's rarest large mammals, with only three other zoological collections breeding the species during the past year.
The Park's Giraffes, including Century, the oldest member of the herd, were treated to giant ice blocks made from carrot, cabbage and apple. The towering animals spent time licking and nibbling the frozen creations as they sought relief from the soaring temperatures.
Elsewhere around the collection, Critically Endangered Black and White Ruffed Lemurs, Critically Endangered Greater Bamboo Lemurs and the troop of Ring-tailed Lemurs enjoyed frozen fruit lollies created using natural ingredients. Mabel the Pygmy Marmoset, the world's smallest monkey species, was also given a brand-new enrichment made from frozen Arabic Gum, a natural tree sap that the species would normally obtain by gouging holes in trees.
Other residents receiving cooling enrichments included Otters, Clouded Leopards, Penguins, Tapirs, Colobus Monkeys, Siamangs, Red Pandas, Binturong, Wolverines and Meerkats, highlighting the enormous effort made by keepers throughout the heatwave.
Chris Kibbey, Assistant Animal Manager at Cotswold Wildlife Park & Gardens, said:
"With the hottest temperatures ever recorded for May, keepers have been working extra hard to ensure the animals they care for stay cool. As well as ensuring they have access to fresh drinking water, shade and cool indoor areas, keepers have been using their culinary skills to create unique flavoured ice lollies for some of the animals using all natural ingredients - many taken from their normal diet.
The Lemurs were treated to lollies made from blended cucumber and pear and the Bamboo Lemurs had a healthy blend of cucumber and celery. The Pygmy Marmosets were given an experimental lolly made from frozen Arabic Gum - a natural tree sap that they would normally eat by gouging holes in trees.
The larger animals weren't left out, with the Camels being given a frozen cocktail of carrot, cabbage, watermelon and apple and the Giraffes received carrot, cabbage and apple. Finally, Lolita and Gomez the Tapirs had cooling ice treats too. The keepers always enjoy giving these treats to the animals, and it's a good excuse to spend time cooling off in the walk-in freezer!"
Mammal Keeper Charlotte added:
"It was really sweet to see Klaus enjoying his first ice lolly - he was one of the first over to investigate it and seemed to really enjoy nibbling on the cooling treat. Their ice lolly took about two days to make as I had to freeze it in different stages. It proved to be a great success and hugely rewarding to watch, and the visitors seemed just as delighted watching Klaus tuck in as he was enjoying it himself!"
> Find out more about Cotswold Wildlife Park
Explore Gloucestershire
1 June 2026
Photo credits: Giraffes and Bactrian Camels photographed by Philip Joyce FRPS. Black and White Ruffed Lemurs photographed by Beth Peacock. Otter photographed by Rebecca Farrow.
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