SALT LAKE CITY — As temperatures continue to climb in Utah, many people are finding ways to stay cool. Salt Lake County is offering cooling centers to help people. At the Hogle Zoo, staff members are tasked with keeping visitors, staff and the animals cool during the heat wave.
Over at the elephant exhibit, elephant supervisor Lauren Lecoque, makes sure the elephants stay cool.
“We offer them a lot of different things like baths, mud wallows, dusting. Ice treats are always a good one,” she said.
Related: Excessive heat watches and warnings as triple-digit temperatures hit Utah
While animals like elephants enjoy the warm sunshine, other animals aren’t as used to the high heat. Exhibits are equipped to meet the needs of each animal, including cool water, misters and shade.
“We are always looking for any sort of heat problems within our animals, making sure they are nice and cool, they have cool places to be. Chances to be misted off,” Lecoque said.
Related: Salt Lake County is offering cooling centers to help people
The zoo also offers cooling areas for visitors, including shade, seating and misters. Zoo keepers are accustomed to working outside, Lecoque said, but that doesn’t mean they don’t take steps to stay cool as well.
“When they are getting a bath, we get nice and misted as well,” she said.
For tips on staying safe in the heat, click here.
For tips on keeping your animals safe in the heat, click here.
