Staff are taking steps to keep animals cool and safe during a near-record heat wave. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue used hoses to cool off Nellie, a female Asian elephant. The water helps to lower her temperature and also creates mud, which elephants use to protect their skin from the sun.

The zoo's animals are provided with various cooling measures, including ice blocks and fans. Zoo staff monitor the animals' temperature to ensure it remains okay in the hot weather. The zoo's habitats feature watering holes, similar to those found in the wild.

Further details about the zoo's efforts to keep its animals cool are available from the source. The heat wave is being felt across South Florida, prompting the zoo to take extra precautions to protect its residents.