How Norfolk's animal parks and zoos are coping with the heat

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Norfolk's human inhabitants might not be used to the heat... but animals in the county's wildlife parks and zoos are.

Attractions will be staying open amid forecasts of a day of record breaking temperatures, while animals native to hotter climes soak up the sunshine.

Grace Waterfield, head of marketing at the Watatunga Wildlife Reserve, between King's Lynn and Downham Market, said: "Approximately 75pc of the species we care for originate from African or Asian regions, where high temperatures and humidity are common.

"For many of these animals, the current weather conditions are very much within their natural comfort zone.

Visitors tour Wataunga in electric buggies (Image: Watatunga)

"Many species can be found basking in the sun around the reserve's lakes or cooling off in the water.

"Species such as our Pere David's deer, blackbuck and Kafue Flats lechwe can frequently be seen around the edges of the main lake, and it's wonderful to watch these herds enjoying the warmer conditions."

Animals are allowed to roam freely across Watatunga's 170-acre site off the main A10, which includes flooded former gravel workings that have become rich lakes.

Visitors tour the site in open-sided electric buggies, which have roofs to keep the heat off during 90-minute safaris.

Amazona Zoo, on the outskirts of Cromer, is also open as normal, apart from one area of the site.

One of the Capybaras at Amazona (Image: Rosie Fox)

Manager Imogen White said: "Being in Cromer we are lucky that we tend to buck the trend and be slightly cooler on the coast. This being said, Friday is forecast to be very warm and as such our outdoor jumping pillows will be closed as we don't want burnt feet.

"The animals have access to all their normal areas so they can be comfortable in or out of the sun, as they so choose.

"Some species love the sun, such as the jaguar and our capybara will spend hot days in their pool."

While both species originate from South America, the individuals at Amazona have been captive-bred in other zoo establishments in the UK and Europe.

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