PICS: Animals in Rio zoo beat the heat with ice creams!

The zoo also must ensure the animals have access to water -- via pools or sprinklers. Meanwhile vegetation is left untrimmed to ensure maximum shade. Providing cool meals "refreshes the animal and stimulates memory function, as well as the palate," Cunha said. She noted that some of the meat-eaters, notably the tiger, lie on top of the meat as an additional means of keeping cool.