SUAMICO, WI -- Enjoying the variety of activities the different seasons can bring is not something shared only by people.
The animals at the NEW Zoo are also taking in all the winter elements can offer.
Just like almost any other day, the lions are soaking up the sun.
"It surprises a lot of people that an African lion would want to be outside when it is very cold outside," says Carmern Murach of the NEW Zoo, "they actually have some heated rockwork out in their exhibit that they can cuddle up on top of if they want to stay outside."
And outside is usually where you'll find most of the animals at the NEW Zoo, including several monkeys.
"They are one of the highest altitude, coldest weather primates that there are." says Jessica Jutjens, "so they don't mind the cold as much as the other primates might like."
The Japanese macaques adapt quickly to Wisconsin's winters.
"Once we start getting into fall you can tell they start to get a bit fuzzier," says Hutjens, "they grow thicker fur."
"They still have the ability to grow thick winter coats, a good undercoat," says Murach. "They love the winter time."
And the animals love to get visitors.
"Some of the animals do seem to miss the bigger crowds that we have in summer," admits Murach.
The North American river otters quick to swim over and say hello.
"These guys keep a couple of holes open in the ice and you can be shivering out here in -20 weather," says Hutjens, "and they are swimming around and popping out of the water and shaking it off."
But not all of the animals are capable of working through our winters, like the giraffes.
'They can't handle the temperatures," says Tricia Schuchart, "I mean even our lions can handle the temperatures. But giraffes, they' just can't do it.
Zoo visitors can instead come inside and warm up, while visiting Hodari and Zuri.
"You can stay longer than usual than in the summer time," says Hutjens, "there are very few days that we don't have at least some visitors coming through here. You see animals, particularly animals like the lions really kind of perk up and notice when someone comes through those doors."
