The cold weather has posed new challenges for those caring for exotic animals in North Yorkshire, as HESTER MCTURK reports.

IT’S been hard enough keeping livestock on farms and wild birds in gardens fed and healthy during the harsh winter weather, so spare a thought for those looking after more exotic creatures.

Zookeepers at Flamingo Land theme park and zoo, between Malton and Pickering, have been working hard to keep their animals and birds cosy.

Plummeting temperatures have caused problems for the zoo as much of the animals’ water is frozen.

Sam De Belle, a head keeper, said: “All our animals are British-born so they are used to cold temperatures, but this winter has been colder than ever.

“We’ve kept the birds inside in sheds designed to hold out the cold.

“The biggest problem has been frozen water.

“We’ve had to carry water around from enclosure to enclosure for the animals.

“Nine or ten people look after the animals on an average day. We all have our own sections to look after, but we all help out with extra water and bedding.

“We work as a very close team to make sure the animals are cosy and warm.

“The big thaw will come next and we’ll have to keep an eye on everything and make sure that the water drains.”


York Press: Sam De Belle, one of the head keepers, with some of the Grants zebras Sam De Belle, one of the head keepers, with some of the Grants zebras.


York Press: one of the tapirs at Flamingo Land One of the tapirs at Flamingo Land.