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Police dogs paddle as otters lap up iced blood lollies

Jason Arunn MurugesuNorth East and Cumbria
WWT Close up of an otter which is brown and grey. It is pulling on a huge circle of frozen fish pieces which it has stood up against, leaning a front paw on the tasty treat. It's head is turned to the side to face roughly in the direction of the camera. There is greenery bathed in sunlight in the background. WWT
Fish blood ice lollies are "nutritious", according to otters and their human staff

Humans are not the only animals needing to find ways to cool down and cope with rising temperatures.

Mammals across north-east England and Cumbria have been on the hunt for shade, including herdwick sheep at the Lake District Wildlife Park who, according to Lucy Dunn, "are not used to these temperatures".

On the other hand, the site's ring-tailed lemurs were basking in the heat: "They love sitting in a Buddha position with their tummies towards the sun."

WWT Close up of two baby birds in a transparent tank with their feet submerged in water. They have black and white downy feathers and black beaks. WWT
Baby birds are getting regular fresh cold water for their feet

Over at Washington Wetland Centre, otters have been tucking into fish-blood ice lollies which Gill Pipes described as "nutritious" as well as cooling.

Baby birds at the centre need a close watch on during heatwaves.

"We make sure that we're changing their water regularly," Pipes said, adding the water had to be deep enough for the birds to submerge their feet into.

But she reported the majority of animals were "enjoying themselves" and "just sunbathing".

Newham Grange Farm Two pigs lying in wet mud with grass surrounding them. It is a sunny day. The pigs are pink and hairy. Newham Grange Farm
Mud acts as sunscreen for pigs who would otherwise be susceptible to sunburn

Steph Halsall at Newham Grange Farm in Middlesbrough said the resident pigs were covering themselves in mud to protect them from the sun.

She said the team had also been giving rabbits and guinea pigs treats such as frozen strawberries and fruits to cope with the high temperatures.

Newham Grange Farm Two rabbits, one black and white and the other light brown, eating a block of frozen fruit out of a silver metal dog bowl. Newham Grange Farm
Newham Grange Farm's rabbits got into the Wimbledon spirit with frozen strawberries...
Newham Grange Farm Five guinea pigs stand in a line eating red and green lettuce which has been scattered on the concrete ground. From left to right there are two predominantly white animas, the second of which has a black face. Then a smaller, very dark brown guinea pig stands back a little from the group. Next in line is a black and beige one before the quintet ends with a longer haired one with black, white and ginger tortoise shell fur.Newham Grange Farm
...while the guinea pigs topped up their treats with good-for-you greens

Meanwhile Durham Police posted a photo of their dogs enjoying a relaxing time in paddling pool.

Durham Police Two young Alsatian type dogs in a blue paddling pool with stars and fish images on the base. They are lying in the shallow water and looking at the camera.Durham Police
Paddling pools attract all sorts of young creatures

Not wanting to be left out, Cumbria Police followed suit and posted a cute snap of one of their dogs, tongue out, smiling and splashing.

Cumbria Police A brown Cumbria Police dog in a large blue paddling pool. It is sticking its tongue out, smiling like mad and splashing with its tail.Cumbria Police
Cumbrian cops boast one very wet and happy hound

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