Rome's Bioparco zoo cools animals amid Italy's red heat alert

An extreme heatwave has struck Italy, prompting red‑level alerts in 18 major cities including Rome, Milan and Venice as temperatures rise to 36‑37 °C. Emergency rooms have seen a 10‑15 % increase in visits and at least five heat‑related deaths have been reported.

In Rome, the Bioparco zoo is protecting its collection with frozen fruit and vegetable treats, ice‑candy snacks and chilled pools. Species such as giraffes, hippopotamuses, capybaras, lemurs and seals receive frozen foods, while seals are kept in water kept below 25 °C. Air‑conditioned shelters and misting systems are provided for the most heat‑sensitive animals, according to zoo coordinator Yitzhak Yadid.

Municipal authorities have also deployed a digital monitoring system for the city’s elderly, using wearable sensors and real‑time environmental data to trigger alerts for healthcare providers and enable early intervention before heat‑related illnesses develop.