Blood popsicles, anyone? The weird ways Denver's zoo keeps animals cool on hot days

Bloodsicles, anyone?

The big picture: That's just one of the ways the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, as it's newly renamed , is helping its animals beat the heat this summer.

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Driving the news: The challenge to keep the zoo's 2,500-plus creatures cool is even more strenuous this weekend as Denver faces triple-digit temperatures , staff tell us.

Zoom in: Animal care specialists are coming up with creative ways for zoo residents to cool down apart from pools, fans, misters and air-conditioned spaces indoors.

• That includes making popsicles out of frozen blood and meat for some of the zoo's carnivores.

Miss Tundra, the zoo's rescued grizzly bear, enjoys her popsicle on a hot day. Photo: Courtesy of the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance

• Cold plunge bubble baths are given to the spotted hyenas, which love to stash objects in the suds. Staff also hide items beneath the bubbles for the three-member pack to find for extra enrichment.
• Custom shade sails, which each cost a whopping $65,000 to build, have also been set up for the zoo's flamingos to flock under.

The bottom line: To support these "cool" initiatives, the nonprofit zoo encourages people to donate .

• For anyone who wants to see the animals this summer, staff recommend visiting in the morning to help dodge the heat.