I’m curious about whether animals from warm climates—like lions, hyenas, zebras, giraffes, rhinos, tigers, and monkeys—struggle in cold weather when they’re kept in zoos in places like North America or Europe, especially in winter or snowy conditions. For example, I visited the Seattle Zoo in December 2004, and it was a cold day. I saw lions, tigers, African wild dogs, gorillas, elephants, and even hippos outside in their enclosures. Are they uncomfortable or unhappy in these conditions?
Cold weather isn’t necessarily a problem for many animals. Even on the savannah or in deserts, temperatures can drop significantly at night. Zoos generally provide heated shelters or other means to keep animals comfortable. Heat can actually be a bigger challenge for cold-weather animals like polar bears or penguins.
Wild animals face many challenges in their native habitats, like scarce food or extreme weather, so life in the wild isn’t necessarily ideal either. That said, zoos often replicate conditions to ensure the animals can adapt to seasonal changes, making them comfortable even in colder climates.
Animals in reputable zoos are usually well cared for, with indoor and outdoor areas that allow them to choose where they want to be. Even animals adapted to warm climates often have the ability to handle a range of temperatures. For example, many mammals have heat and cold adaptations to help them survive in fluctuating conditions.
Most of these animals were born in captivity, sometimes several generations removed from their wild counterparts. They’re used to their local climate and have acclimated to it over time.
I work at a zoo in the northwest US, and we take various measures to keep animals comfortable in different weather. For instance, many animals have heated indoor areas they can retreat to. Surprisingly, some animals like lions love playing in the snow, so it’s not an issue as long as they have options.
While weather adaptations are important, I think the psychological toll of captivity is worse. I’ve seen animals like tigers exhibit signs of distress, such as pacing, which made me feel that zoos are sometimes cruel environments.