Nature Features

If you thought it was tough getting to work during the nearly apocalyptic conditions of February 2009, bare a thought for the staff - and animals - of Linton Zoo.

Frozen taps mean keepers have to carry buckets of water over long distances on snowy paths and they're constantly checking that enclosures are heated properly and the animals are warm enough.

All done in freezing conditions while wrapped in layers of gloves and hats. Kim Simmons, who works at the zoo, has been working overtime to make the creatures as comfortable as possible.

It feels so good

She told BBC Cambridgeshire: "We have lots of animals that need their bedding dry and a lot of the animals go outside, get covered in snow and it melts and goes all over their bedding.

"The real tropical animals have spacious indoor areas. Our electric meter is spinning like crazy at the moment trying to cope with the extra warmth."

The zoo has eight keepers, not all of whom live locally but most of them have managed to make the trip to Linton. But while the staff are all changing their working habits the beasts and bugs just get on with it.

Kim says: "Most of the animals we have that are used to warm conditions haven't been behaving any differently really, they just take it for granted that we're going to make them all cozy and warm and comfortable."

Chilly? Not me

Some people might be concerned that animals accustomed to a warmer climate are suffering in the British snow blizzard. But many of them have to deal with extreme conditions in the wild - tigers have a thick coat of hair for a reason right?

"For some of the animals like the amur tigers and snow leopards, which naturally come from very snowy regions, they think it's just wonderful stuff," says Kim.

It's a peculiar time for zoos because it's the most expensive period to run them while there's less people coming through the turnstiles. But it's a fantastic time to go and see the animals in an environment you usually wouldn't be able to.

"We had quite a few people coming in because they wanted to watch the tigers and lions playing in the snow. There's also some good photo opportunities," Kim recalls.

Just make sure you give them a call before you head down!