Zoo animals shivered as a 12C cold spell hit northern Thailand.

Officials at Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo acted swiftly to keep the animals warm when temperatures dropped significantly on January 12.

In the morning, temperatures ranged from 12 to 13 degrees Celsius (53–55°F), a rare cold spell that affected many species, particularly mammals and reptiles, which are more vulnerable to sudden temperature fluctuations.

Zookeepers provided straws and sacks for bedding and installed light bulbs to warm the animals in their enclosures.

The wildlife park focused on red-shanked doucs, gibbons, monkeys, capybaras, lemurs, fennec foxes, snakes, turtles, and deer, which are particularly sensitive to the cold.

The Thai Meteorological Department predicted a further drop in temperatures on Sunday, with northeastern Thailand expected to experience cold weather and strong winds, causing a 1–3 degrees Celsius drop.

The minimum temperature in the region was forecast to be 7–13 degrees Celsius (45–55°F), while the maximum was projected to range from 24–27 degrees Celsius (75–81°F). Mountaintop temperatures were expected to reach 4–10 degrees Celsius (39–50°F).

This unusual cold spell caused discomfort for animals not adapted to such conditions, particularly mammals with thinner fur and reptiles that rely on external heat sources to regulate body temperature.