Mexico City Zoos Give Animals Custom Ice Pops to Beat Heat

When a heat wave pushed Mexico City temperatures 5 degrees above normal last week, zoo animals got the same relief humans craved: ice pops.

The Mexico City Environment Ministry distributed custom frozen treats to animals across its Wildlife Conservation Centers as daytime highs reached 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Each popsicle contains ingredients that match what the animals would eat in the wild, from fruit for primates to meat for big cats.

The icy blocks serve a dual purpose beyond cooling off. Keepers freeze food inside large chunks of ice, turning snack time into a game that keeps animals licking, biting, and pawing for hours.

This playful feeding method, called environmental enrichment, helps prevent the serious health risks that extreme heat poses to wildlife. Without ways to cool down, animals can suffer panting, weakness, and even organ damage when their bodies can't shed heat fast enough.

Photos shared by the ministry show giraffes stretching their long tongues around frozen blocks, chimpanzees clutching icy treats with both hands, and a bobcat batting at its frozen meal. Patas monkeys turned their popsicles into toys, carrying them around their enclosures between licks.

The Ripple Effect

The program mirrors similar efforts across Mexico, where zoos are getting creative about animal welfare during increasingly hot springs. El Centenario Zoo in Mérida, Yucatán, runs a "Paletón" program that served frozen treats to 60% of its 600-plus animals in 2024.

There, biologists craft popsicles with meat, fruit, and seeds to help residents endure temperatures that can top 104 degrees Fahrenheit. The treats give animals new textures and flavors to explore while keeping them hydrated through the hottest months.

The heat wave that struck Mexico City on April 25 came from a high-pressure system that trapped warm air over central Mexico. Forecasters expected temperatures to ease starting Thursday and drop further in early May.

Health officials encouraged residents to follow the animals' lead by seeking shade, drinking water frequently, and avoiding direct sun from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. They also warned against leaving children, older adults, or pets in parked cars.

The zoos' creative solution shows how small innovations can make a big difference when temperatures rise.