According to the National Weather Service’s bulletin, we are currently under a Wind Chill Warning that will last through at least noon on Saturday. They are forecasting that dangerous to life-threatening wind chills as low as 55 below zero are possible. With these dangerously cold wind chills, a person could develop frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 5 minutes and hypothermia could develop shortly thereafter. They are recommending that everyone should avoid outside activities if possible and when outside, make sure you wear appropriate winter apparel. Honestly it sounds like a great time to stay at home sitting in front of a fireplace if you can.

For the staff at the zoo, sitting home by a fireplace is not an option because the animals are counting on them to make sure they are warm and fed. Weather patterns like this can often make one wonder why they ever got into the business in the first place. But it is times like this that their dedication shines through, and they persevere through the elements to make certain that their animals stay safe.

With many of the animals secured in buildings, most staff are only out in the elements for short periods traveling from one location to another. The area of most concern are the keepers that are caring for the animals on the north side of the river. The North Trails area has many animals that are acclimated to the cold weather with their heavy coats. They have access to shelters, but most are not heated, as that would inhibit their abilities to properly acclimate as they would in the wild. Keepers in this area cover a lot of ground to get to these animals and while it is not so much a matter of heat, they do require more feed to maintain their body heat. The keepers in this area are most at risk for exposure from the cold and wind as they move from exhibit to exhibit checking on each animal to ensure they are well, fed and have access to fresh water.

The bottom line is that these animals are dependent on their keepers just as pets are on their owners. Take the time to ensure your pets are protected during this extreme cold and especially the wind chill. If you have pets that stay outside and there is no way to bring them in, be sure they have a shelter from the elements that blocks the wind. Additional bedding will allow them to burrow in and stay off the cold ground. They may need a little more food to help maintain body heat. If you don’t have a way to heat their water bowls, then you should replace their water throughout the day as it will freeze up quickly.

Animal care whether in a zoo or at home is a responsibility. As we prepare for Christmas, a season of giving, be sure to carry-on that sentiment to those furry friends that serve us in so many ways. The Roosevelt Zoo Staff hopes that everyone has a safe and Merry Christmas.