By CGTN's Zheng Yibing & Li Yang

Although today is the beginning of autumn in the Chinese lunar calendar, it doesn't mean the summer heatwave has also gone... in fact, it's still scorching in many parts of China, like Chengdu, capital city of Southwest China’s Sichuan Province. Luckily, animals in Chengdu Zoo have ways to escape the heat.

Giant pandas are unwilling to move in hot summer and ice seems to be their only interest. 

Giant pandas are given special care, including ice blocks and air-conditioned rooms, in summer heat in a zoo in Chengdu, capital city of southwest China’s Sichuan province. /CGTN Photo

Zhang Bo, director of the Animal Management Department of Chengdu Zoo, explained that giant pandas live at high altitudes, so they are not afraid of cold but do object to high temperature. 

Chengdu Zoo, according to Zhang, will prepare suitable food in summer for the giant pandas, and give them air-conditioned rooms, ice blocks, fresh fruits, and medicine for heatstroke prevention.

A tiger sleeps in the shade of trees, while it is offered ice and water-spraying devices to keep them away from heat. /CGTN Photo

While pandas, known as China's national treasure, are well protected in the park during the hot summer season, other animals are also looked after in accordance with their natural habits and characteristics.

Animals in open space usually nap in the shade of trees during hot hours. For lions, tigers and baboons, water-spraying devices are set up, which become a protective umbrella for animals.

Hippos stay in a pool out of habit and the reason of summer heat in Chengdu in southwestern China. /CGTN Photo

Elsewhere in the park, elephants have fans, and hippos indulge themselves in the water. Each animal in the park has its own style of beating the summer heat. 

And when nightfall is about to arrive, in a residential area outside the park, dogs finally come out with their masters. It's a happy and cool moment in the long sweltering day.