A Thai zoo serves Korean shaved ice dessert to so animals could cool off as temperatures are estimated to reach 40 degrees Celsius during the summer.

Footage shows park officers and guests preparing the delicious treats made of fruits and crushed ice before being left inside a gorilla’s enclosure in Songkhla zoo.

The excited primates then feasted on the dessert made of assorted in-season fruits such as watermelon, dragon fruit, coconut and plum mango.

The dishes were scooped up in tiny bite-sized balls so that the animals could easily eat them before being arranged in the empty watermelon shell and topped with ice and sweet syrup.

Zoo chief Wanchai Tan said the sweet and cold snack could help keep the animals from suffering weather-related health illnesses such as heat stroke.

He said: ‘Animals love our creative snacks but we have seen that tigers, lions, and especially monkeys like them the most. Whenever they see that the bingsu is served, they run for it in excitement.

‘The dessert is not only healthy for their bodies but it could also help prevent hot weather conditions such as heat stroke among our furry friends.’

The summer season in the country started this month. The hot spell will continue until the second week of June before the rain season arrives.

Bingsu is a popular Korean shaved ice dessert with sweet toppings that may include chopped fruit, condensed milk, fruit syrup, and red beans.