FROZEN smoothies are being treated to the animals at an Oxfordshire wildlife park to help them keep cool.

Staff at Cotswold Wildlife Park, near Burford, have been working hard to keep animals, including lemurs, Humboldt penguins and giant tortoises, cool.

Bicester Advertiser: Red bellied lemur enjoying an iced smoothie (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)Red bellied lemur enjoying an iced smoothie (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)

As well as the ice lollies, which are made from ingredients in the animal's normal diet including pears and carrots, staff members have also been hosing the animals down.

READ MORE: Met Office upgrades 'extreme heat' warning to 'danger to life'

Bicester Advertiser: Red bellied lemur enjoying an iced smoothie (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)Red bellied lemur enjoying an iced smoothie (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)

A giant 85-year-old tortoise named George, the park's oldest resident, is among those that have been having a hose down, as well as it Humboldt penguins.

The park's oldest penguin, 27-year-old Dale, has also been enjoying a gentle cool spray.

Bicester Advertiser: Ring-tailed lemur enjoying an iced smoothie (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)Ring-tailed lemur enjoying an iced smoothie (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)

This comes as the Met Office issued a red weather warning for the county on Monday (18) and Tuesday (19) with temperatures expected to reach 35°C and 36°C.

Bicester Advertiser: Ring-tailed lemur enjoying an iced smoothie (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)Ring-tailed lemur enjoying an iced smoothie (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)

Bicester Advertiser: Binturong with an ice cube treat (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)Binturong with an ice cube treat (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)

Bicester Advertiser: Emus having a nice cold shower (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)Emus having a nice cold shower (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)

Bicester Advertiser: Emus having a nice cold shower (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)Emus having a nice cold shower (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)

Bicester Advertiser: George enjoying his hose down (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)George enjoying his hose down (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)

Bicester Advertiser: George enjoying his hose down (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)George enjoying his hose down (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)

Bicester Advertiser: Dave having a cool down with keeper Jo (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)Dave having a cool down with keeper Jo (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)

Bicester Advertiser: Dave having a cool down with keeper Jo (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)Dave having a cool down with keeper Jo (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)

Bicester Advertiser: Ring-tailed lemur enjoying a lolly (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)Ring-tailed lemur enjoying a lolly (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)

Bicester Advertiser: Ring-tailed lemur enjoying a lolly (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)Ring-tailed lemur enjoying a lolly (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)

Bicester Advertiser: Tamandua enjoying a watermelon treat (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)Tamandua enjoying a watermelon treat (Credit: Paul Nicholls Photography)

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Read more from this author

This story was written by Gee Harland, she joined the team in 2022 as a senior multimedia reporter.

Gee covers Wallingford, Wantage and Didcot.

Get in touch with her by emailing: Gee.harland@newsquest.co.uk

Follow her on Twitter @Geeharland

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