Zookeepers have been finding ways to keep animals warm as temperatures plunge during a cold spell in Thailand.

Footage shows the staff at the Khon Kaen zoo providing extra hay to enclosures to warm the chilly animals at the weekend.

Thonachon Kensing, director of the zoo, said their animals are at increased risk of suffering from the cold weather as they are located near mountain forests.

He said: ‘The weather here is getting cold especially during the evenings when it can get cold as 9 degrees Celcius.’

The zoo official added that temperatures drop to just two degrees Celsius on mountain peaks some days, so even the residents in the area should take care of their health.

He said: ‘The zoo has made several precautions to keep the animal habitats warmer as it is too cold in the night.’

Aside from hay, orangutans were given blankets to cover themselves from the cold winds.

Deers and other animals were always given fresh hay to sleep on instead of the cold concrete floors.

For the younger animals, there are cradles made of hemp sack which helps to keep them warm while sleeping.

State meteorologist Phuwiang Prakhammin said that winter will be colder and longer than previous years. He expected the cool season to last for approximately 122 days until mid-February, with average lows of 20C to 21C nationwide throughout the entire season, however, temperatures are much lower in northern parts of Thailand.