By: Ryan Duey
Photos Courtesy of Clay Center Zoo
Early this year, during the dead of winter, we spoke with Clay Center Zoo Curator Garett Payne on how they care for animals in the extreme cold and snow. Recently, we spoke to Payne on how the animals are cared for during the heat of summer.
Payne said the addition of the new buildings makes it much easier for the animals and caretakers. Most of the animals have full access to air conditioning when they get too hot. He spoke about the few animals that don’t have access to AC.
“The only area that’s still older is where the foxes, the bobcat, and the serval are. In the summertime time we flip-flop the Arctic Foxes and the serval around.
“So, in the summer, the Arctic Foxes have that corn crib that’s closest to the little attached building because it stays pretty cool inside that building in the summer. We also have fans in there that run as well. Then in the wintertime, we flip-flop it back, the serval gets it, and we run a heater in there.”
Payne said they don’t have many issues in the summer at all with the animals and the heat. The arctic foxes do get a bit more attention, due to not being from this climate. He said the foxes do enjoy their time in the little pool in their cage when filled with ice water. Surprisingly, they do have to watch over another duo that people may not expect.
“The Cheetahs, which most people would think would be pretty hearty because of being from the warm, hot, sunny plains of Africa, but they’re kind of the other one that we have to worry about, more so just overheating themselves.”
“You know, when it’s really hot and they’re out there really running and chasing each other around and stuff, we kind of have to keep an eye on them.”
He said for the most part, the cheetahs are most active in the mornings, so it isn’t much of an issue.
Payne wanted to highlight that they are currently working on the sidewalks in the zoo. The zoo and Welcome Center remain open, but some days, entrance access is limited to the old gate opening.
Keep up to date with the construction and other zoo information on their Facebook page.
