Our Asian elephants, dholes and Indian rhinoceros mother, who recently welcomed a calf, are enjoying specially prepared frozen treats designed to meet their individual nutritional needs during the hottest days of summer.

At Terra Natura Benidorm, we have activated our annual summer welfare programme to help our animals cope with the high temperatures by providing ice treats and frozen foods specially adapted to the dietary requirements of each species. This initiative combines animal welfare, nutrition and environmental enrichment, helping to keep our animals cool while encouraging their natural behaviours.

Every day, our dedicated animal care team prepares frozen blocks using carefully selected ingredients for each species. Our Asian elephants enjoy refreshing combinations of fruit and vegetables such as watermelon, apple, melon, cucumber and carrots, while our dholes, or Asian wild dogs, receive frozen meat treats specially created to suit their carnivorous diet.

Among the animals benefiting most from these seasonal measures is Shiwa, our female Indian rhinoceros, who recently gave birth to Brutus, the third Indian rhinoceros calf to be born at Terra Natura Benidorm. While Shiwa enjoys frozen fruit and vegetable treats that help keep her hydrated and support her nutritional needs during the nursing period, young Brutus continues to grow by her side, watching with curiosity as his mother enjoys one of the daily enrichment activities that is part of her routine care.

These frozen treats have a dual purpose. Firstly, they help regulate the animals’ body temperature during periods of extreme heat while encouraging them to maintain a healthy appetite. Secondly, they act as environmental enrichment, stimulating the animals’ senses, encouraging exploration and promoting species-specific behaviours as they manipulate the blocks of ice to reach the food inside.

Each frozen preparation is carefully designed according to the nutritional requirements, feeding habits and behaviour of the species concerned. The ingredients, size and texture are all individually tailored, ensuring a balanced diet while providing a stimulating and enjoyable experience that supports both physical and mental wellbeing.

This initiative is part of our wider summer welfare programme, which also includes enhanced misting and irrigation systems, additional shaded and humid areas throughout the park, and continuous monitoring by our veterinary and animal care teams to ensure the highest standards of welfare are maintained throughout the summer months.

Through initiatives such as these, Terra Natura Benidorm continues to develop animal management strategies based on the highest standards of animal welfare, conservation and environmental education. They also offer our visitors a fascinating insight into the dedicated daily work involved in caring for the more than 150 species that are part of our strategic wildlife conservation programme.