Hippos and camels chill-ax with popsicle party

Werribee Open Range Zoo’s largest herbivores are keeping cool in Melbourne's dry summer heat by crunching into icy-poles filled with their favourite treats.   

 Under the shade of large trees, cheeky camels work to lick watermelon and hay-filled ice blocks attached to the tree branches. Meanwhile, the resident hippopotamus enjoy their popsicles pond-side in their large Savannah habitat. 

Savannah zookeeper Katie Jones said the icy treats help the animals to keep cool, but also provide them with nutritionally dense stimulation to keep their minds active.  

"By putting hay, crushed watermelon and elephant grass in the ice blocks, the camels and hippos have to work mentally and physically to get their favourite treats," Ms Jones said. "This provides an extra challenge for them during the day, and also keeps them nice and cool in Melbourne's warmer weather." 

On hot days, 33-year-old hippo Primrose and her two daughters, Tulip and Lotus, cool off by wallowing in mud or lounging in the cool water of their ponds. The 1400-kilogram mammals' red-coloured sweat also acts as a natural sunscreen.  

During the summertime, Werribee Open Range Zoo's four resident camels also beat the heat by sitting in cool sand and shed their thick winter coats.  

Ms Jones said visitors will be able to see this shedding process in action on the Savannah.  

"They're looking a little scruffy right now with their patchwork coats, but it's a fantastic way for them to cool down during the summer," Ms Jones said.   

Enrichment activities happen each day for all animals across Zoos Victoria’s four properties, and visitors may be lucky enough to see ice play in action throughout the summer period.