Floor Heating and Air Conditioning Ensure Giraffes Stay Warm in Huzhou, Zhejiang
As a new cold wave sweeps across the south of the Yangtze River, cities in Zhejiang Province are preparing for temperatures to dip below zero. While people are bundling up in down jackets and retreating to heating rooms, some special residents are also being taken care of in the chilly weather.
In Miaoxi Town, Wuxing District, Huzhou City, Zhejiang Province, six African giraffes have found refuge in an indoor air-conditioned room at the Giraffe Manor. Breeder Zhao Honggang has made sure to provide them with a variety of delicacies including sweet-scented osmanthus leaves and alfalfa. “Giraffes are ruminants, and their staple food is various leaves. They originally grew in tropical areas of Africa, so they have certain temperature requirements. In winter, the indoor temperature must be kept above 15°C,” explained Zhao.
To ensure the giraffes remain comfortable during the winter, the manor is equipped with air conditioning, floor heating, and heating, and a thick grass “carpet” has been laid on the ground. The animals are also being provided with homemade pellet feed, fruits, and vegetables for added nutrition and energy.
The Giraffe Manor is part of the “Return of Zhejiang Businessmen” initiative, with the Yunnan Mekong Group, founded by the local enterprise Jinzhou Group, returning to its hometown to develop tourism projects. As a result, the Giraffe Manor officially opened in the beginning of 2020, providing a warm and comfortable home for giraffes and other animals from low latitudes.
Zhao Honggang, a practicing veterinarian and the caretaker of the giraffes, is well-versed in the habits and temperaments of the animals. Under his careful watch, the giraffes, as well as other animals in the manor, are thriving and staying healthy during the chilly winter months.
With the use of floor heating and air conditioning, the African giraffes in Huzhou, Zhejiang, are able to remain comfortable and warm despite the cold weather outside.