It's a record-breaking 103 degrees and Omar doesn't want to leave the shade. But after some coaxing from Head Zookeeper Sara King, the Austin Zoo tiger meanders over to the pool and gingerly lowers himself, hind legs first, into the cool water.

As of July 6, Austin has set 10 record highs in less than two weeks – which, according to Mark Murray's weather blog at KVUE.com, may be a record in its own right. So Austin Zoo has been taking extra precautions to keep many of their 350 animals cool during this sweltering summer.

King said the older animals are especially vulnerable to the heat. The kinkajous, bears and a lot of the cats and the monkeys also receive extra attention when the mercury soars. "Once it gets into the 90s then we start making sure they have cooler options in there," King said. "Some of it is just acclimatizing to the heat. I think it's harder when it just all of the sudden hits." Patti Clark, Austin Zoo President and Executive Director, agreed the heat isn't easy for anyone. "We're obviously all impacted by the heat," Clark said.

So Austin Zoo staff has to get creative with ways to ensure the animals stay comfortable. King said they preserve some of the blood from meat used to feed the big cats and freeze it; these are casually referred to as "bloodcicles." "We make sure they have frozen bloodcicles," King said. "We hang it up from the trees so they can make a puzzle out of how to get it."

King said they also freeze strawberries, grapes and watermelon, but "grapes are a big hit" with the animals. Frozen water bottles are also distributed for the smaller animals to lay on. They've also purchased fountains, industrial fans, kiddie pools, misters, ice and shade cloth to help the animals beat the heat.

Construction is currently underway to turn the pony barn (previously used for storage) into a climate-controlled monkey facility with outdoor yards. Once complete, the monkeys will be able to venture inside to stay warm during the winter and cool during the summer. And since over 90 percent of Austin Zoo's residents are rescue animals, Clark said the recession has seen the zoo's population swell.

"With the economy, more people aren't able to take care of their pets," Clark said. Since January, Austin Zoo has grown from 300 to 350 animals, taking in: llamas, alpacas, muntjacs, snakes, lizards, ringtailed lemurs, lions, sheep, goats, roosters, guineas, a cockatoo and a squirrel monkey.

Which means there are a lot of mouths to feed. King said it takes 185 pounds of meat per day to feed the big cats – and they're fed six days a week - anything from chicken, beef hearts, brisket, ground turkey and venison.   "One day is bone day because when cats hunt out in the wild they're not always successful," Clark explained. "We try to give them variety so they don't get tired of it. Just like people, they have their favorites." Clark said the zoo is running a summer special weekdays from 2-4 P.M. through August 31. Mention "Summer Special" at check-in and receive discounted admission at $5 per adult.

The zoo may be doing its part to keep the animals cool, but it's kept human needs in mind, too. Clark said ice cream and snow cones are available for purchase. "We have lots of different flavors," Clark said of their snow cones.