Heat Returns Along With Opportunity to See Giant Tortoises
The city of Moscow has cooled down some since the record-breaking heat in May. In May 2007 was the hottest May in history with temperatures rising above 30 degrees on several occasions. There were five high temperature records set between May 23 and May 30. The highest temperature was reached on May 28th when the thermometer reached 33.2 degrees.
While some Moscow women and men have found the heat to be enjoyable and have used the opportunity to take some swims to cool off in the Moscow River and lakes in the area, others found the heat to be unbearable and were happy to see the temperatures fall in the early part of June. Unfortunately, temperatures are on the rise again.
The Moscow Zoo is taking the precaution of moving their giant tortoises into open-air enclosures to help keep them cooled down. The tortoises include the Galapagos Tortoises, the Seychelles Tortoises and Leopard Tortoises according to a zoo spokesperson. The Seychelles Tortoise is a very rare breed and is on the list of species that is on the brink of extinction according to Russia’s “Red Book”. The zoo plans to keep the tortoise’s outdoors until the early part of the month in September.
