EXPERTS at Slimbridge Wetland Centre have devised an unusual method for keeping their otters cool through the summer: ice lollies. The family of four otters at the centre in Gloucestershire have been given the snacks to help keep their temperatures down during the warmer months of the year.
Generally visitors to WWT Slimbridge flock to kiosks selling fruit flavoured varieties of the iced treat, but the otters Flo, Mo, Minnie and Ha Ha prefer a more savoury version. Captive animal keeper John Crooks has been making the lollies out of fish, mince, apple, carrot and blackberries.
John said: “The otters love to be out playing in the sun but just like our visitors it is good for them to keep cool."
“We have areas for them to relax in the shade but I thought this might be an extra measure I could take to help them avoid getting over-heated and to keep them well-hydrated." “As they are frozen they are also good because it takes them a little longer to eat them and they play with them when they float in the water." “I’ve quite enjoyed making them actually and even put them on a stick so they can be stuck in the ground." “Our visitors often come to see the feeds and talks armed with ice creams and lollies so are surprised to see our otters eating the same!”
Flo, Mo, Minnie and Ha Ha, the family of otters at Slimbridge Wetland Centre, are hungrily tucking into ices every day, which have been prepared in their favorite flavour of fish.
John Crooks, the mammal manager, says the lollies have been well received by the family at WWT Slimbridge’s Back from the Brink area. You can see the otters being fed twice a day at 11.30am and 3.15pm.
WWT Slimbridge Wetland Centre
Slimbridge, Glos GL2 7BT
T 01453 891232
F 01453 890827
E sally.munro@wwt.org.uk
W wwt.org.uk
