2:00am Saturday 9th January 2010
COLCHESTER Zoo gave its chimpanzees a special treat to help with the icy conditions.
Hot potatoes were served up to the primates at the Maldon Road attraction, as temperatures struggled to get above zero degrees.
All the animals were safe and warm inside their enclosures, which are equipped with special heat lamps and radiators, said zoo spokeswoman Alex Downing.
“We decided to give them a special hot treat and the potatoes are something they enjoy,” she said.
“But none of the animals have to come out of their enclosures if they don’t want to. It is lovely and warm in there and all the animals are fine.”
Although zoo keepers had gone out of their way to get to work, members of the public have been urged not to visit until the worst of the weather is out of the way.
Ms Downing said: “The pathways in the zoo are clear, but the roads around us are very bad.
“While we are still open, we are asking people to be very careful and to stay away while the roads are so bad.”
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