JACKSONVILLE, Florida — Roles are flip-flopped at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens when it is this hot out. “All the care here at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens is based off what the animals wants, it is based off their direction," said Curtis Dvorak, a zookeeper. He took First Coast News on a tour Wednesday and explained how the zoo is caring for all animals in extreme heat.
“We have sprinklers, we have misters, we have hoses on to make little mud wallows for animals who like to wallow in mud. And just little things... to keep them comfortable, and let them play in the water just as we would like," Dvorak said.
Dvorak mentioned the zoo also has a top notch team using technology to track how the animals are doing. He says interns and volunteers use an iPad to track data and see if an animal is looking tired or overheated.
Dvorak said the biggest thing is fitting the animals needs, and everyone’s needs.
"As far as the heat at this zoo, we’ve got a great splash pad. And I highly recommend it, and I will say it is okay for adults to be using the splash pad. Because I have been in there. Absolutely. I am about to go there now" said Dvorak.
Aside from heat, the zoo has a storm team for when storms or hurricanes happen. They are ready whenever they need to be called on.