Rome's zoo distributes frozen treats to animals including tigers, monkeys and bears to help them cope with temperatures around 38 degrees celsius as the Italian capital is in the grip of a heatwave. "In this hot weather, giving them some refreshments such as popsicles is always important to keep them hydrated," says Davide Morelli, a zookeeper at Bioparco di Roma. "Heatstroke is always a risk, so during the hottest hours of the day they certainly avoid direct sunlight and put themselves in shaded areas and then seek coolness by themselves." IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES