Panda Wei Wei hot for ice block as temperatures soar in Wuhan

Wuhan Zoo is using blocks of ice to help its giant pandas cool off as temperatures hit record highs this summer, news websites report.

As the mercury continues to soar in Wuhan, reaching 36 degrees Celsius on Saturday, the zoo bought in ice to help its animals cope with the heatwave. A large block of ice was put in the centre of the panda house and both air conditioners were turned on, Ifeng.com reported.

When the keepers brought the block of ice into the enclosure, 11-year-old panda Weiwei discarded the bamboo he was eating and went to lie on the ice, the article said. He spent most of the day next to the ice, attracting more visitors than usual.