In the intense heat, Japanese Macaques of the Sarugashima Fukuchiyama Zoo are given an icy present.

Translated from the original article: http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20120728-00000303-rtn-l26

Sent out on July 28, 6:07PM by the Ryoutan Daily Shinbun

Japanese macaques enjoy the cold ice.

During the hot, late days of summer, 26 Japanese Macaques were given a frozen present. The Macaques are being raised at the Sandanike Zoo (Director: Toshikuni Nihonmatsu), near Sarugashima in Izaki, Fukuchiyama City. On that day, the 27th, the city recorded its highest temperature of the year, 35.8 Celsius (96.4 Fahrenheit). In the middle of the severe heat, the monkeys appeared to enjoy touching the ice, eating the fruit inside of it.

During the peak of each year’s summer, the zoo’s animals receive frozen presents. This is the 3rd year in a row the Sarugashima Macaques have partaken in the event.

This year, apples, bananas, pineapples, oranges and more were frozen into four blocks, at a combined weight of 150 kilograms (330 pounds). Last year, when the ice was placed, the monkeys immediately arrived. Because of the fireworks incident in January of this year, the monkeys exercised great caution, first viewing the ice while surrounding it from a distance.

However, lured by the fruit inside the ice, the monkeys began approaching one after another. While checking the ice with their hands and feet, they began to remove the fruit and eat it.

Visiting with her family, Takeda Mako (Age 5) of Kanagawa City, Yokosuka Prefecture's Kindergarten said while smiling: "It seems cold and delicious. It was cute." Park Director Nihonmatsu added: "Since the fireworks incident, they've been scared of humans. They didn’t immediately come over like last year. Still, it was nice to give them this present during the hottest time of the year.


Original text:
猛暑に氷のプレゼント　福知山市動物園・猿ケ島のニホンザルに
両丹日日新聞 7月28日(土)18時7分配信

氷の冷たさを楽しむサルたち

福知山市猪崎、三段池公園内の市動物園（二本松俊邦園長）は土用の丑の日の２７日、近くの「猿ケ島」で飼育しているニホンザル２６匹に氷のプレゼントをした。同日は市内で今年最高気温の３５・８度を記録。猛烈な暑さの中、サルたちは気持ち良さそうに氷を触り、中の果物を食べていた。

園では毎年夏の一番暑い時期に、動物たちへ氷をプレゼント。猿ケ島のニホンザルへは３年前から続けている。

今年はリンゴ、バナナ、パイナップル、ミカンなどを入れた氷４個（重さ計約１５０キロ）を用意。昨年は氷を置くと、すぐにサルたちが寄って来たが、今年１月に猿ケ島へ花火が投げ込まれる事件が起きたため、警戒心が強くなり、最初は遠巻きに眺めていた。

しかし氷の中の果物につられて、次第に近づくサルが増え始め、氷の感触を手や足で確かめたり、解け始めた氷の中から果物を取り出して食べたりしていた。

家族と一緒に訪れた神奈川県横須賀市の幼稚園児、武田まこさん（５）は「冷たそうで、おいしそうに食べていた。かわいかった」とニッコリ。二本松園長は「花火の事件以来、人間をまだ怖がっているようで、昨年のようにすぐには寄ってきませんでした。一番暑い時にプレゼントすることが出来てよかった」と話していた。