Prague Zoo Polar Bears Roll in Ice as Czechia Hits Near-Record 41.5 Degrees

As Czechia bakes under its second major heatwave of the summer, one of the most striking scenes of relief is playing out at Prague Zoo, where polar bears have been filmed rolling contentedly on chunks of ice delivered to help them cope with the extreme conditions. National temperatures have surged to a near-record 41.5 degrees Celsius, placing enormous strain not just on residents across the country but on the zoo's most heat-sensitive species, including its Arctic polar bears and its gorillas. The footage of the bears sprawled across the ice offers a rare moment of visible relief amid what has become an increasingly punishing summer for much of Europe.

To manage the extreme heat, zookeepers have deployed up to three tons of ice along with specialized enrichment activities designed to help animals regulate their body temperature while also keeping them mentally engaged. For species like polar bears, which are naturally adapted to frigid Arctic environments, sustained exposure to temperatures well above 40 degrees Celsius poses a serious physiological challenge, making interventions like ice delivery essential rather than optional. The enrichment approach serves a dual purpose, cooling the animals down while also encouraging natural behaviors such as digging, rolling, and playing that keep them active and stimulated despite the oppressive heat.

Zoo officials note that such measures have had to expand significantly in recent years as extreme heat events become more frequent and more intense across the continent. What was once an occasional accommodation during unusually hot spells has increasingly become a routine part of animal care planning during the summer months. As Czechia and much of Europe continue to grapple with back-to-back heatwaves, scenes like the ice-cooled polar bears at Prague Zoo are likely to become an increasingly familiar sight for zoos working to protect their most vulnerable animals.