Manila Zoo keepers help animals cool down with misting, blocks of ice

Animals are also affected by extreme heat and are strictly monitored in Manila Zoo including the big cats, namely the lion and tiger, that are prone to heat stroke.

According to Marisol Abdurahman's report on "24 Oras," Manila Zoo staff members use some strategies to help animals cool down, including misting, which is done by splashing water around. 

“Binibigyan natin sila ng time off, pinapapasok po natin sila sa loob, kapag basa, pahinga konti then check ng temperature. Pag bumaba, palabas na po,” said Philip Lopez, the lion keeper. 

(We give them time off, they are allowed inside, and when they are wet, we rest a little and then check the temperature. And when their temperature is lower, they are allowed to go out again.)

It is said that animals also enjoy ice, a lion can be seen in the TV report eating and playing with a block of ice. They also drink a lot of water in the pool.

“Tayo kasi pwede tayong magpawis, kumpara sa kanila hindi naman sila nakakapag labas ng init through pag papawis,” said Dr. Vanessa Ong. 

(People can sweat, to cool down. Compared to the animals, they can't release heat through sweating.)

A lion can also be seen panting.

“Hindi s’ya normal pero sa ganitong panahon, ganyan ang I-expect-in natin paghinga nila kasi nga dyan sila nag e-excrete ng init,” said the doctor. 

(It's not normal, but in this weather, that's how we expect them to breathe because that's how they excrete heat.)

Moreover, Dr. Ong said some animals, such as lions and tigers, don't eat much when it's too hot, so they are given supplements and electrolytes.

An ostrich was also seen with its mouth open with its wings down. This is said to be one of the signs that the said animal is feeling hot.

Even reptiles are also closely watched because they often get respiratory illnesses in warm weather.

“Mas prone silang magka-sipon pag ganitong mainit. Mga mainit, ventilation, very humid yan yung mga kalaban nila. Makikita n’yo po sa oral cavity nila. Pag may sipon, may mga sipon na po kayong makikita agad, at plema,” said the doctor. 

(They are more prone to catch a cold when it's hot. When it is hot, (when there is) ventilation, (if it's) very humid, these are considered their enemies. You can see it in their oral cavity. When they have a cold, you can see colds immediately, and phlegm.)

To help the reptiles not feel too hot, the staff bathed them every day. — Sherilyn Untalan/BAP, GMA Integrated News