Zoo Animals Enjoy Snow

Much of the UK population isn’t too thrilled with the return of the winter weather, snow and the dangerous driving conditions. But it’s not all doom and gloom, there are a few individuals here at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, just 6 miles from Bristol, that are enjoying the Spring snow.

The animals have been making the most of their snowy enclosures with the Spectacled Bear Cubs enjoying playing with their very first snowman made for them by their keepers. The cubs were seen rolling and playing together, they even encouraged Mum, Madidi, to come outside and join in the fun. Visitors and staff have been thrilled to see the animals enjoying playing in the thick blanket of snow with many joining in the fun with snowball fights and building snowmen.

Lots of the zoo animals are well equipped to deal with the cold conditions whilst others prefer the warmth of the indoor areas. The zoo’s Reindeer, Bison, Bactrian Camels, and Highland Cattle are all well adapted to cold winters due to their thick coats. Bison use their large heads to shift the thick layers of snow and get to the grass underneath, whilst Highland Cattle use their horns to forage and dig through the snow. Bactrian Camels can survive winter temperatures in Asia as low as -28°C due to their thick, shaggy coats so they were well equipped for the surprise March snow.

Not all the animals were so impressed with the snow and after venturing briefly outside many decided their heated indoor enclosures were far more appealing than the cold snow flurry.