Zoo animals enjoy a warm drink on a cold day

A zoo has been giving its animals warm meals and drinks to help them through the cold weather.

Jodie Bryant, head of primates at Dudley Zoo and Castle, said: "The main thing is we're providing them with warm areas to go back to."

But she has also been feeding the likes of the orangutans a steamed vegetable broth along with low-sugar squash and warm water.

"Everybody loves a warm drink," she said.

The zoo, which is home to animals from all over the world, has seen temperatures drop below freezing at night.

Speaking about the primates, Ms Bryant said: "Obviously they don't enjoy the cold, but they'll tolerate it for short periods."

Ms Bryant said all the animals were getting extra attention during the freezing weather.

"We'll make sure they've got more bedding, steamed vegetables, maybe things like that to give them a little bit of warmth from the food they're eating," she said.

Although some of their animals come from the arctic circle, she said: "All of us will feel the cold, it doesn't matter if you're from a warm climate or not."

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