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Seoul Grand Park Animals Beat the Heat with Special Summer Survival Meals
๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท South Korea /Culture & Society

Seoul Grand Park Animals Beat the Heat with Special Summer Survival Meals

From Dong-A Ilbo · () Korean

Translated from Korean, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Seoul Grand Park is providing special "summer survival" meals to its animals to help them cope with record-breaking heatwaves.
  • The customized meals include items like live fish for tigers and mud baths for Barbary sheep, tailored to each animal's needs.
  • The park aims to reduce stress, prevent lowered immunity, and encourage natural behaviors among the animals during the hot weather.

As record-breaking heatwaves continue to grip the region, animals at Seoul Grand Park are finding relief through specially prepared "summer survival" meals. The park has implemented a comprehensive program to combat the effects of the extreme heat on its diverse animal population.

Seoul Grand Park announced on August 7 that it distributed approximately 930 kilograms of special food across 16 animal enclosures, including the First African Pavilion. This initiative aims to reduce heat-induced stress and prevent a decline in immunity among the animals. The special meals are meticulously designed, considering each animal's ecological characteristics, nutritional balance, and behavioral enrichment needs.

For instance, Siberian tigers are being provided with live carp to encourage natural hunting behaviors, along with beef knuckles for protein. Asiatic black bears are receiving beef knuckles and a variety of fruits and vegetables to help alleviate heat stress and supplement their vitamin intake.

The park is also focusing on environmental enrichment. Asian elephants are benefiting from mud baths, funded by the "Donghaeng Fund" and donations, which help cool them down and improve skin health. In the Second African Pavilion, Barbary sheep are enjoying mud baths, while hippos are being given seasonal fruits like watermelon to boost their vitality.

Park Director Park Jin-soon stated, "We will help the animals have a healthier summer than ever by providing customized nutrition and encouraging activities that utilize their natural instincts." The park is committed to ensuring the well-being of its animals through these thoughtful and tailored measures during the challenging summer months.

We will help the animals have a healthier summer than ever by providing customized nutrition and encouraging activities that utilize their natural instincts.

โ€” Park Jin-soonDirector of Seoul Grand Park, explaining the park's commitment to animal welfare during the heatwave.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Dong-A Ilbo in Korean. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.