Barcelona Zoo has rolled out its summer emergency protocol as Catalonia faces another surge in extreme heat. Forecasts from the Catalan Meteorological Service (Meteocat) put temperatures above 40°C in areas such as the Lleida plain. During the heat episode, regional highs were forecast at 38°C to 40°C in Lleida and locally 40°C to 41°C in western Catalonia. Early this morning, Barcelona was already nearing 30°C, with high humidity adding to the strain. The zoo has stepped up efforts to shield its animals from the heatwave.
Located in the Parc de la Ciutadella and managed by the municipal company Barcelona de Serveis Municipals (BSM), the zoo is taking several steps to protect animal welfare during the ongoing heat. Staff have added water points throughout the enclosures and are replacing drinking water more frequently to keep fresh water available. Bathing areas and mud wallows, which species such as warthogs and turtles use to regulate their body temperature, are also being cleaned and refilled more often. Forecasts also pointed to nighttime temperatures staying above 20°C in many areas and above 25°C locally in parts of the Mediterranean region, extending heat exposure beyond the hottest hours.
The zoo is adapting feeding routines by offering food as ice, helping animals cool down while they eat. Certain species, including the red panda and the elephant, are receiving regular showers or sprays from hoses and sprinklers. Ventilation systems and air-renewal mechanisms are running in some indoor enclosures to improve air quality and keep temperatures lower.
These measures form part of a wider response to the persistent heatwaves affecting Spain in recent years. Meteocat meteorologist Aleix Serra told Cadena SER that “summers with temperatures of 40 degrees will become increasingly common,” in an interview published on 14 August 2026. The zoo’s approach reflects the growing challenge animal facilities face in adapting to prolonged periods of high temperatures. Recent reports on weather disruptions in Spain describe extreme conditions that are becoming more common and affecting wildlife and daily life in urban areas.
Barcelona Zoo’s summer protocol is reviewed and updated annually to address the needs of each species in its care. The focus remains on practical steps: keeping fresh water available and providing shaded spaces, while adjusting ventilation and diets to help animals cope with the heat. These actions are designed to minimize stress and health risks for the zoo’s diverse inhabitants during the hottest months of the year.
Spain’s repeated heatwaves have highlighted the importance of proactive animal care in public facilities. Barcelona Zoo’s measures are tailored to current conditions and reflect the broader challenge of adapting to a changing climate. The zoo’s ongoing efforts offer a model for other institutions facing similar environmental pressures, emphasizing flexibility and vigilance as extreme weather events become more frequent across the region.
