Flake Ice: Making Animals Feel at Home

Enriching Animals’ Lives

In order to create the most comfortable environment for the animals in their care, zoos and aquariums work hard to replicate their natural habitats.  While this can be difficult to achieve, there are many tools available to provide a natural environment for animals that enriches their lives as well.  Flake ice serves an important role in zoos and aquariums across the country, and at Howe Corporation, we are leading the way.  Our machines manufacture flake ice at large capacities, producing anywhere from 2,000 up to 40,000 pounds per day.  Flake ice from Howe has helped zoo animals from many different habitats stay happy and healthy.

Helping Cold Weather Animals and More

One look at Anana the polar bear will confirm how much cold weather animals love flake ice.  In May of last year, Anana was introduced to 800 pounds of ice made with a Howe Rapid Freeze® Ice Flaker at Chicago’s Lincoln Park Zoo.  A model 6000-RL was used, producing the full load of ice in a little over 3 hours.  This raw footage demonstrates Anana’s joyous and enthusiastic reaction to the Howe flake ice, clearly a very welcome addition to her surroundings.

Flake ice machines are highly beneficial for penguins as well.  Ice flakers are generally installed above the penguins’ habitats, with ice dropping directly onto the floor surface.  This creates a snow-like covering which enriches their physical environment.  The ice creates the feel of a frozen tundra, reminding the penguins of their natural habitat.  Even non-cold weather animals enjoy the presence of flake ice in their environments.  Monkeys, for example, love the cool sensation that flake ice provides, and animals of all types enjoy ice as a way to help keep cool during the hot summer months.

A Proud Member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) is a major supporter of animal welfare and conservation efforts worldwide.  In 2012 alone, $160 million was provided for 2,700 conservation projects across the globe by AZA-accredited institutions.  The AZA has also been instrumental in protecting endangered species, implementing the Species Survival Plan Program.  This program helps support threatened species with conservation breeding, public education, habitat preservation, and supportive research.  The AZA is a driving force for the support of animal care, science education, and conservation in the areas of zoos and aquariums.

At Howe Corporation, we have demonstrated our commitment to supporting animals in these settings by becoming a member of the AZA.  Flake ice plays a major role in the well-being of animals, and we are proud to do our part to support their welfare.  The AZA represents more than 200 zoos and aquariums across America.  Animals of all kinds can benefit from Howe flake ice since it helps to reproduce their natural environments and provides a soothing source of coolness.

All Sizes of Icemakers Available

We have been manufacturing ice machines since our inception back in 1912, and our flake ice equipment has been used in zoos, theme parks, and aquariums across the U.S.  To find out more about how our machines can benefit your specific application or to receive a quotation, please contact us today.