Skip to content
CapRadio

CapRadio

listen live donate
listen live donate
listen live
donate
  • News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
    News
    • News

    • State Government
    • Environment
    • Health Care
    • Race and Equity
    • Business
    • Arts and Lifestyle
    • Food and Sustainability
    • PolitiFact California
  • Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
    Music
    • Music

    • Classical
    • Jazz
    • Eclectic

    • Daily Playlist
  • Podcasts & Shows
  • Schedules
  • Events
  • Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
    Support
    • Support
    • Ways to support
    • Evergreen Donation
    • One-Time Donation
    • Corporate Sponsorship
    • Vehicle Donation
    • Stock Giving
    • Legacy Giving
    • Endowment Support
    • Members
    • Member Benefits
    • Member FAQ
    • Member Newsletter

    • Fund drives
    • Drawing Winners
    • Thank You Gifts
  • About
  • Close Menu
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 
 We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter 

Blood Lollipops And Cool Showers Help Zoo Animals Cope In Heatwave

  •  Steve Milne 
Tuesday, June 30, 2015 | Sacramento, CA
Erik Bowker / Sacramento Zoo
 

Erik Bowker / Sacramento Zoo

If you think it's hot outside, imagine how it is for furry animals at the Sacramento Zoo and their handlers.

"The heat is difficult and the drought is difficult," said the zoo's new director Kyle Burks on Insight with Beth Ruyak. "What we typically do is vary by species."

Burks says giraffes and other African animals are fine in the heat. Other species at the zoo have access to air conditioned areas.

Burks says another thing they do for carnivores is offer blood lollipops, or ice with animal blood in it. 

"It sounds kind of weird but it's a wonderful treat for them. With limited water, we're careful but we like to give the animals showers and cool them off and things like that. Those are always top of mind for us in weather like this."

Burks says, like the African animals, some other new additions to the zoo from Australia are also okay in the hot weather.

"This week we released a pretty amazing species into their new exhibit - nine yellow-footed rock wallabies in with our kangaroos," says Burks. "Imagine a kangaroo that lives in caves and rocks and jumps around and hides in crevices and peaks out."

Burks began his new job with the Sacramento Zoo two weeks ago. He's filling the position left by Mary Healy, the zoo's director of 15 years who died unexpectedly while on a trip to the Galapagos Islands last summer.

Burks was formerly chief operating officer of the Denver Zoo.


Follow us for more stories like this

CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you.  As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.

Donate Today  

 zooanimalsheat wave

Steve Milne

Morning Edition Anchor & Reporter

Steve is the Morning Edition anchor for Capital Public Radio. He covers stories on a wide range of topics including: business, education, real estate, agriculture and music.  Read Full Bio 

Sign up for ReCap and never miss the top stories

Delivered to your inbox every Friday.

 

Check out a sample ReCap newsletter.

Thanks for subscribing!

Thank you for signing up for the ReCap newsletter! We'll send you an email each Friday with the top stories from CapRadio.

Browse all newsletters

More Stories

AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, File

Q&A: Speaker Anthony Rendon on a budget deficit, gun bills and handing over the gavel

January 31, 2023

Aaron Kehoe/AP

Mass shootings can be contagious, research shows

January 24, 2023

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Rep. Adam Schiff announces 2024 Senate run, teeing up a high-profile primary

January 26, 2023

Most Viewed

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

Still testing positive after day 10? How to decide when to end your COVID isolation

Tyre Nichols loved skateboarding. That's how his friends say they'll remember him

California coronavirus updates: FDA plans to simplify COVID-19 vaccinations

Behind The I-80 Castle: A Drag-Racing, Beauty School Mogul’s Dream House

We Get Support From:
Become a Supporter

Most Viewed

10 new California laws that go into effect in 2023

Still testing positive after day 10? How to decide when to end your COVID isolation

Tyre Nichols loved skateboarding. That's how his friends say they'll remember him

California coronavirus updates: FDA plans to simplify COVID-19 vaccinations

Behind The I-80 Castle: A Drag-Racing, Beauty School Mogul’s Dream House

Back to Top

  • CapRadio

    7055 Folsom Boulevard
    Sacramento, CA 95826-2625

    •  
      (916) 278-8900
    •  
      (877) 480-5900
    •  Contact / Feedback
    •  Submit a News Tip
  • About

    • Mission / Vision / Core Values
    • Stations & Coverage Map
    • Careers & Internships
    • Staff Directory
    • Board of Directors
    • Press
  • Listening Options

    • Mobile Apps
    • Smart Speakers
    • Podcasts & Shows
    • On-Air Schedules
    • Daily Playlist
    • Signal Status
  • Connect

    •  Facebook
    •  Twitter
    •  Instagram
    •  YouTube
  • Donate

  • Listen Live

  • Newsletters

CapRadio stations are licensed to California State University, Sacramento. © 2023, Capital Public Radio. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Website Feedback FCC Public Files: KXJZ KKTO KUOP KQNC KXPR KXSR KXJS. For assistance accessing our public files, please call 916-278-8900 or email us.