The snow leopard is indigenous to cliffs and high forests in the Himalayas, so you can only imagine how the thick-coated mammal felt today perched on a rock at Mill Mountain Zoo overlooking the Roanoke Valley in 97 degree temperatures.

Zoo curator David Orndorff explained Wednesday how animals at the zoo, like the snow leopard, adapt to high temperatures.

Whether using ice blocks of food or sprays of mist from overhead, Orndorff underscored the importance of aiding the natural cooling process.