The animals aren’t the only ones feeling sluggish. Zookeepers are adjusting routines and hydration stations to keep creatures cool — from kangaroos to curious kids.

It’s hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, but at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo, the focus isn’t on novelty tricks — it’s on survival. Starting this week, the zoo is closing early to protect both animals and visitors as temperatures push well into the 90s.

New hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., through Friday. It’s not business as usual. And behind the scenes, keepers are working overtime to make sure no one — not even the emus — gets overheated.

Kangaroos, water tubs, and zero sweat glands

If you think sweating through your shirt is rough, try being a kangaroo.

“They can’t sweat like we do,” said Jordyn Caviggiola-King, an animal care specialist at the zoo. “So we give them lots of access to water — tubs, pools, spray areas.”

And they use it. A lot.

“Sometimes they’ll just stand in the water and let it pour over them. You can almost see the relief on their faces,” she said.

Even though this kind of weather mirrors their native Australia, it still wears them down. Kangaroos spend most of the hot afternoons sprawled out in the shade, legs out, barely moving.

Not just kangaroos: every species, every plan

Different animals have different tolerances. And that means different strategies.

The lions? They get icy meat treats.

The red pandas? They retreat into temperature-controlled dens the moment the sun hits its stride.

The goats in the petting zoo? They’re constantly monitored to prevent overheating — especially since many interact with excited, sweaty kids all day long.

“Every single habitat has its own protocol for heat,” one staffer said. “Some need extra hydration. Some need frozen enrichment toys. Others just need space and quiet.”

Bullet point: How Fort Wayne Zoo beats the heat

Here’s what’s happening daily during the heatwave:

• Misters run in open exhibits for animals like giraffes and zebras

• Ice blocks filled with meat or fruit are handed out to carnivores and primates

• Shade tents and umbrellas are added to visitor paths and viewing decks

• Water bowls are checked and refilled multiple times per hour

• Staff rotate out more frequently to avoid fatigue or heatstroke

Table: Adjusted Fort Wayne Zoo Operations (June 24–28, 2025)

What about the people?

It’s not just the animals that are getting help. The zoo is rolling out extra precautions for humans too — especially for the younger guests and older visitors who may be more vulnerable to heat-related illness.

One parent pushing a stroller on Tuesday said the shortened hours actually worked out better.

“My toddler doesn’t last past 3 p.m. anyway,” she laughed, dabbing her forehead with a paper towel. “We got in, saw the kangaroos, and hit the splash pad. Perfect morning.”

Extra shaded rest areas and refillable water bottle stations have also been added near major exhibits.

One staff member summed it up: “Happy animals, hydrated humans.”

Staff under pressure, but still smiling

Behind the glass enclosures and smiling mascot photo ops, zookeepers are on a schedule that’s… intense.

Multiple temperature checks. Water checks. Cleaning routines stepped up because heat accelerates bacterial growth. Even their own uniforms — sweat-soaked within an hour — have to be cycled.

Still, they seem unfazed.

“We’re used to this, but yeah — this week is especially rough,” said one keeper wrangling hoses near the African Journey exhibit. “But you know what? The animals are trusting us to get this right. So we push through.”

No major heat-related incidents so far

Zoo officials say no animals have shown signs of heat exhaustion or dehydration so far this summer, a sign that the protocols are working. Still, they remain cautious.

Reptiles, amphibians, and tropical birds are being monitored more closely than usual, especially as Fort Wayne’s heat index tipped over 100°F this week.

The zoo’s on-site veterinary staff is also checking vulnerable animals more frequently, especially elderly residents.

“We’re in their world,” Caviggiola-King said. “We’ve got to do our best to keep them comfortable.”

Looking ahead — the forecast and reopening plans

Meteorologists expect the heatwave to break slightly by Saturday, with highs dropping to the mid-80s. If that holds, normal hours could return over the weekend.

But zoo officials say they won’t rush anything. Animal health comes first.

“If we need to extend early closures, we will,” said a zoo spokesperson. “This isn’t about revenue. It’s about responsibility.”