Exotic animals protected from cold at Dudley Zoo
Extra bedding, hot drinks and heated pads are just some of the measures which have been brought in to help keep the animals warm at some of the region's top wildlife attractions in recent days.
As temperatures plummeted staff have taken take action to ensure the animals are not too cold.
Exotic species of giraffes at Dudley Zoo have been sheltered indoors to keep them out of the harsh icy winds gusting over Castle Hill.
Heat lamps have also been turned up for Meerkats and other primates at the attraction who are used to the warmer weather.
The apes have been served hot meals while the lions have also been given heat pads to lie down on. Dudley Zoo's spokesman Jill Hitchman said: "As far as the animals are concerned it's a love-hate moment; species like the tigers, red pandas, penguins and inevitably, snow leopards, love it while giraffes, meerkats and lemurs stay snug indoors with the heating turned up."
At Sandwell Valley some of the cows and sheep have been moved indoors to protect them. At South Staffordshire College at Rodbaston newborn lambs and calves are in a large barn to keep them warm.
