Animals at the Denver zoo (USA) cope with heavy snow

DENVER - Even when practically every student has the day off because of fall break or the snow storm, animals at Denver Zoo are working a full time shift.



So are the employees who care for them.



"We need to make sure the animals are taken care of," said Tiffany Barnhart, director of communications at Denver Zoo. "But once we've got the paths cleared there's no reason not to go ahead and open for the public!"



You heard right. Denver Zoo is actually open to the public every day of the year, assuming there isn't a danger to patrons and staff members. Regardless of the weather, the animals are never left on their own.



"The caring of animals is a top priority, and so many dedicated staff live nearby and come in to make sure those animals have the proper care and training they would normally get every day," said Barnhart.



With Denver Zoo open for business, the animals (many of which have access to indoor and outdoor shelters) were on full display during this week's snow storm. Zebras probably preferred warmer, more African like climate, while the Arctic Foxes and Polar Bears were having a field day with their makeshift winter tundra wonderland.



The visitors came out to the zoo as well, although in limited numbers. Two dozen walked through the gates on Wednesday, while about 50 toured the zoo on Thursday. On a normal weekday, attendance is usually somewhere between three and four-thousand visitors.



"It's a lot of fun teaching these kids, because they can see the zoo at a different time," said James Garcia, a Denver Zoo teacher who toured a group of students Thursday. "They're so used to coming in the summer with their families and the crowds, and in the winter you get to see the animals acting differently. A lot of animals are more active on a day like this!"



(Bron: http://www.rgj.com/)