Fantastic footage shows Edinburgh Zoo’s penguins having fun in piles of ice in the warm weather

Fantastic footage shows Edinburgh Zoo’s penguins having fun in piles of ice during the warm weather.

Animals at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s (RZSS) Edinburgh Zoo are beating the heat with some special icy enrichment from their keepers.

Jai the greater one-horned rhino and the zoo’s penguin colony were among those to get cooling snacks as a heatwave is confirmed in parts of the country.

Edinburgh Zoo’s penguins have fun in piles of ice during the warm weather. | Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

The wildlife conservation charity received a bumper ice delivery for their king, gentoo and Northern rockhopper penguins who wasted no time in claiming their spot on the ice.

Darren McGarry, head of animal care said: “Every species copes differently in warm weather, so our keepers prepare frozen treats, provide extra shade and spaces to cool off in their habitats.

“Our penguins are having a great time claiming their spot on their ice piles, with a few light arguments over who gets the best spot. They also have water sprinklers, sunshades and of course their cold pool to cool off in.

“All of our animals have cool, dark indoor spaces where they can choose to have a mid-day nap.

“Some animals also have incredible natural adaptations. Our pygmy hippos can actually produce their own pink ‘sun cream’ to help protect their skin from the sun.

Jai the greater one-horned rhino has an icy treat in the warm weather. | Royal Zoological Society of Scotland

According to the Met Office, temperatures reached 23°C in Edinburgh on Sunday 24 May, and 24°C in the city on Monday 25 May. For Edinburgh, the forecaster is predicting temperatures of 20°C on Tuesday 26 May, 18°C on Wednesday 27 May, 23°C on Thursday 28 May, 19°C on Friday 29 May, 20°C on Saturday 30 May, 19°C on Sunday 31 May and 20°C on Monday 1 June.

Visitors can book zoo tickets online in advance and save at edinburghzoo.org.uk/tickets.