The Berlin Zoo has taken various heat relief measures to cools its animals as a heatwave has been choking Germany and much of Europe for nearly two weeks.
At the panda garden, air-conditioners help keep indoor temperatures within the range suitable for a giant panda family of four.
Giant pandas are highly demanding for their living environment and cannot tolerate high temperatures in particular.
"To Berliners, giant pandas are stars and the same goes for people across Germany and the neighboring countries. Many people travel a long way to here just to see them. As the only giant pandas in the region, they are truly unique, and that's why so many people journey a great distance to see them," said a giant panda keeper.
In the tiger enclosure, keepers embed large chunks of raw meat in ice blocks to create frozen treats, letting the tigers cool off as they feed.
For Asian and African elephants, keepers have stepped up spraying and shower sessions to cool them down.
"We need to increase our efforts to provide shade for animals. We need to water the grounds more frequently, so that all plants, trees and vegetation can thrive, offering animals places to rest," said director of the Berlin Zoo's public relations department.
Germany reported an all-time temperature record of 41.3 degrees Celsius on Friday amid an ongoing heatwave, German news agency dpa reported, citing preliminary data from the German Weather Service (DWD).
The preliminary peak value was measured at 17:00 local time (1500 GMT) in Saarbruecken-Burbach, in the southwestern German state of Saarland, dpa reported.
According to the DWD, Germany's previous heat record stood at 41.2 degrees Celsius, measured on July 25, 2019, in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia.
Berlin Zoo takes measure to cool animals in heatwave
Berlin Zoo takes measure to cool animals in heatwave
Local residents spontaneously helped each other to overcome the difficulties after powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela.
A pair of powerful earthquakes struck Venezuela on Wednesday, killing at least 920 people and trapping many under the rubble. The quakes, measuring magnitude 7.2 and 7.5, hit central Venezuela less than a minute apart, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
International aids are pouring in for the disaster-hit South American country while rescuers have been searching through collapsed buildings to find survivors.
On Friday evening local time, large number of vehicles carrying rescue personnel and relief materials caused traffic congestions on roads as they flooded into the state of La Guaira state, the hardest-hit state of the country.
Many of the vehicles were loaded with relief supplies such as drinking water and food, while others were filled with daily necessities such as mattresses and furniture.
The town of Katia Lamar, one of the worst-hit areas in the state, remains out of power, with a pungent odor lingering in the air. Some local residents have spontaneously participated in disaster relief efforts.
"We are currently doing community service, helping those who need it most. We are all doing this voluntarily, and everything we do comes from our hearts. Many people need us right now, and Venezuela needs greater unity," said Hector, a resident who volunteered for disaster relief.
"People brought a lot of help, including food, diapers, medicine, drinking water, juice, drinks, as well as candy and baby food for the children," said an affected resident.
As the earthquakes destroyed residential buildings, many residents had no choice but to rest and spend the night in nearby open spaces.
"We'll rest here tonight and keep an eye on our belongings. These are things we managed to salvage from the apartment, some in relatively good condition," said a resident.
Venezuelans volunteer to help fellow residents after deadly earthquakes
