Zoo's winter warmers help chilly animals

Animals at a zoo in China are huddling next a fire and electric heaters to beat the cold weather.

As Britain contends with its own big freeze, China is also suffering a blast of Arctic conditions and staff at Chongqing Wild Zoo have installed winter warmers to help the animals cope.

Giraffes spend all day grouped around a roaring fire, while an enormous boa constrictor has been given a blanket and a heater to stave off the cold.

Chongqing Wild Zoo occupies more than 150 acres of land and has more than 230 species of rare wild animals on display.

Last year, it hit the headlines when keeper Luo Yong revealed he was teaching a troupe of wolves to howl along with music.

He claimed all 30 wolves at the zoo had learned to how along to his guitar playing - and hoped to start teaching them to dance next.