As a brutal heatwave gripped Europe, Prague Zoo turned to a simple but effective remedy: tonnes of ice. The icy treat offered immediate relief for twin polar bears Aluet and Gregor, who rolled and played in their enclosure after keepers delivered the frozen blocks. The scene provided a glimpse into how zoos are adapting to extreme weather. Main Developments Keepers at Prague Zoo used multiple tonnes of ice to help cool down the animals amid scorching temperatures across Europe. Twin polar bears Aluet and Gregor were seen rolling in the ice treat after entering their enclosure, visibly enjoying the relief from the heat. The ice was part of a broader effort to protect all zoo animals during the heatwave. Background Polar bears are naturally adapted to Arctic cold, making them especially vulnerable to heatwaves. Prague Zoo has used ice as a cooling method in previous hot spells, and similar measures are common in zoos worldwide. The current heatwave has affected large parts of Europe, prompting emergency responses from wildlife parks and animal shelters. Read also: Why the UN's Next Leader Faces a Crisis of Credibility Why It Matters Rising global temperatures pose a growing challenge for zoos that house cold-adapted species. Without interventions like ice treats, animals can suffer heat stress or worse. The scene at Prague Zoo underscores the practical steps required to maintain animal welfare as climate change intensifies heatwaves across Europe. What's Next The zoo is expected to continue using ice and other cooling methods as long as the heatwave persists. No end date for the hot weather has been announced, leaving keepers on standby for further temperature spikes. Similar measures may be adopted by other European zoos facing comparable conditions.