Watch: Zoo animals chill out with cool treats during Chicago heat wave
Share and Follow


CHICAGO (WGN) As Chicago faced its first heat wave of the summer season, animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo beat the heat with some cool treats.

Umande, a western lowland gorilla living at the zoo’s Regenstein Center for African Apes, enjoyed a hanging “gorilla popsicle” made with diluted juice, sugar-free Kool-Aid and fresh herbs from the zoo’s garden.

A black bear named Birch stayed cool by munching on a large pile of crushed ice.

Zoo officials said animal welfare is one of the top priorities at the zoo, which includes making sure the animals are comfortable during all four seasons.

Each animal at the zoo has an indoor habitat, and outdoor habitats are equipped with cooling features like streams, shade structures and even rocks with air conditioning, the zoo said.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
LA bleeding money on outside legal fees — despite a $150M in-house payroll

Los Angeles Faces Financial Strain with Outsourced Legal Fees, Despite $150M In-House Legal Budget

Los Angeles City Hall is currently facing scrutiny for its hefty expenditures…
Parent responsible for lockouts at four Duval schools arrested in Texas, police say

Texas Authorities Arrest Parent Linked to Lockdowns at Four Duval Schools, Police Report

Authorities have charged 39-year-old Matthew Piner with threatening to use violence against…
TikTok signs deal to sell US unit to American investors, including Oracle, Silver Lake

TikTok Finalizes Agreement to Transfer US Operations to American Investors, Featuring Oracle and Silver Lake

TikTok has reached an agreement to transfer its U.S. operations to three…
Trump's handpicked board votes to rename Washington performing arts center the Trump-Kennedy Center

Trump’s Bold Move: Renaming Washington’s Iconic Arts Center to Trump-Kennedy Sparks Debate

In a controversial decision, the board appointed by President Donald Trump has…
The best Playstation 5 games we recommend for gifting in 2025

Top PlayStation 5 Games to Gift in 2025: Unmissable Picks for Gamers

New York Post may be compensated and/or receive an affiliate commission if…
Horror as private jet crashes near runway at North Carolina airport

Tragic Private Jet Crash Near North Carolina Runway Sparks Safety Concerns

Tragedy struck in North Carolina as a private jet, reportedly linked to…
Israel hits Hezbollah targets in Lebanon ahead of deadline to disarm terror group

Israel Strikes Hezbollah Sites in Lebanon as Disarmament Deadline Looms

In a significant military maneuver, Israel reportedly executed a series of airstrikes…
A poster seeking information about the campus shooting suspect is seen on the campus of Brown University, Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025, in Providence, R.I. (AP Photo/Robert F. Bukaty)

Anonymous Hero: The Tip That Solved the Brown University Shooting Mystery

A crucial tip from a passerby led authorities to identify the suspect…