MIAMI (WSVN) – As residents across South Florida help protect their furry friends from the freezing conditions coming over the weekend, officials at Zoo Miami are also hard at work to protect their animals.
“So most of these animals have never experienced that kind of temperature, so we’ve got to provide them with the type of protection, security that’s gonna get them through the nights,” said Zoo Miami’s communications director Ron Magill.
“We’re taking a lot of the reptiles, smaller birds, small mammals, they’re all being brought indoors in heated buildings with supplemental heat,” said Magill.
As for the zoo’s larger animals, massive windbreaks have been installed to keep as much cold wind out of their habitats.
“The tigers for instance, they actually enjoy the cold. They’re invigorated by the cold, they’re able to go out there and be active, more active, it’s a great time to come see those animals during this type of weather,” said Magill. “But generally speaking, we have to provide some supplemental heat in the form of heat lamps, in the form of radiant heaters, extra bedding hay for these animals.”
