NORTH Essex has been battered by Storm Darcey - but at least someone is enjoying it.

Colchester Zoo is shut due to the Covid-19 pandemic and is struggling for survival.

But its animals have no such concerns and film footage has been released showing some of them enjoying the Baltic conditions.

Gazette:

Frosty - Carina Nea took this picture of an icy road in the Harwich area

Footage, shared online by the animal care team, showed many of the zoo’s inhabitants playing in their private winter wonderland.

The tigers were caught on camera frolicking with a snowman built in their enclosure by zookeepers.

Watch the video here: A baby rhino was also filmed sliding around in the snow.

The wolves looked right at home in the wintery conditions, and the zoo’s otters could not resist having a dig in the deep snow.

A spokesman for the zoo said: “During the recent cold snap, many of our animals have been enjoying the snowfall while others prefer to be tucked up in the warm.

“No matter the weather, our animal care team makes sure the animals have somewhere warm and dry to go and plenty of tasty food.”

“However, during these times your support is more important than ever as our bills increase whilst our gates remain closed.”

Despite the zoo gates remaining closed and no regular income for now, the animal care team are there every day ensuring all the animals are well cared for as usual.

A growing snow family is also helping to spread a little bit of cheer.

Earlier this week two snowmen appeared in Third Avenue, Frinton, which brought a smile to the faces of passersby.

Overnight the row of snow people grew to six and now a further two of the chilly characters have popped up.

Nathan Jackson, 36, lives in Kirby Cross, and took a short trip to the site to snap a couple of pictures.

He said: “It is great people out there are trying to add a little happiness in these uncertain times.”

Gazette:

Icy - Terry Chalmers took this striking image in Boxted 

But the snowy conditions have not been such fun for drivers.

Essex Highways chiefs have issued another weather warning urging drivers to be careful and only travel where essential.

A vehicle got stuck in the ice while driving through Boxted yesterday.

The vehicle was driving in Cage Lane when it became trapped at about 9.30am.

It was released by 11am and the road cleared.

Weather forecasters say north Essex could have seen the last of the snow for the time being, but predicted widespread frost and sub-zero temperatures will continue into the weekend.

Temperatures are set to struggle to get above freezing today and may plummet to -7C tomorrow night.

Gritters have been out and about to try to keep main roads cleared but Essex Police reissued its warning for drivers to take extra care.

Roads are expected to remain icy and could be made treacherous due to freezing rain.

Country roads especially are likely to be dangerous if they have not been gritted.

  •  Colchester Zoo has faced a major funding crisis due to the coronavirus lockdown.

It costs about £7 million a year to run which equates to about £600,000 a month.

It has kept going due to using its reserves, grants and donations but has appealed for more funds.