Chongqing Zoo has expanded cooling measures for its roughly 6,000 animals as high temperatures linger in the southwestern Chinese metropolis. Staff are giving giant pandas and other residents ice-block “cool-down packages,” running air conditioners in indoor dens and handing out water-rich foods such as watermelon and apples to prevent heat stress. Images released on 16-17 July show pandas lounging beside pools, hippos splashing in chilled water and giraffes chewing frozen fruit. The zoo said the interventions will continue as long as daytime readings stay well above the seasonal norm, though it did not disclose specific temperature figures.