Bioparco in Rome will be open for Ferragosto.

Rome's zoo is helping the animals cope with the summer heat by giving them refreshing chunks of watermelon, a traditional treat for Italy's Ferragosto holiday.

The Bioparco di Roma says that during the extreme heat the zoo's residents choose whether to go outdoors to shaded areas and pools or to stay in their shelters.

To mark Ferragosto on 15 August, the zoo will hold workshops for children and give watermelon to macaques, lemurs, elephants, bears and chimpanzees at set times between 11.00 and 14.30.

Seals and penguins will be fed watermelon at 15.30 and 16.00 respectively.

The Bioparco will be open on Thursday from 09.30 to 19.00, with last entry 18.00. For visiting details see website.

Photos: Bioparco Archive - Massimiliano Di Giovanni.