Breaking the ice!
7 January 2026
Our animals have been skating on thin ice at the Estate.
The recent cold snap has seen many of the animals exploring their changing habitats, none more so than the residents of Half Mile Pond. The raft of Californian sea lions has been swimming beneath the icy surface, before popping their heads up to break through the sheets of ice and reach the surface. These behaviours are examples of their natural instincts, as in the wild this species’ range reaches the icy waters of the Alaskan coast.
In Jungle Kingdom, a pair of Asian short clawed otters have been walking on their usual stream, as well as playing with chunks of ice in their characteristic finger-like digits.
Whilst Asian short clawed otters wouldn’t usually experience freezing temperatures, keepers are constantly monitoring all species to ensure normal behaviours, with animals always having the option to warm up inside their houses.