NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) —It has been extremely cold across Middle Tennessee through the end of fall and the start of winter, but we aren’t the only Nashvillians that need a warm place to rest: The Nashville Zoo animals need a toasty place, too!
Jim Bartoo, marketing and public relations director at the Nashville Zoo, said the animals are treated like family. Primates and tropical birds are more susceptible to the cold, so they have heaters in their exhibits to keep them comfortable.
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Depending on the animal, some are allowed outside in cold weather when the sun is out, and some have the option to come in and out as they please. Bartoo explained the bigger issue is the cold interfering with zookeepers’ daily duties.
“Sometimes they have to put heaters in the water troughs, so the animals can have something to drink. Sometimes, the locks that are on the fences and containment areas freeze so the keepers have to take little blow torches out there to kind of warm up the lock so they can open up the locks to get in to take care of them. Not to mention that they have to be out in these conditions for long periods of time.”
The Nashville Zoo makes sure all keepers are equipped with clothing to brave the cold weather so they can provide the best care possible for the animals.
If you are headed out to Zoolumination, Bartoo says the Sumatran tigers and the Caribbean flamingos can be seen out past their bedtimes along with many other animals.
If you are planning a trip to the zoo and want to see which animals can be seen during the cold weather: you can click here.
