Cool for big cats

Cool for big cats

Mitsubishi Electric air-to-air heat pumps are now providing cooling to the critically endangered snow leopards at Chester Zoo, supporting their comfort while also helping the zoo reduce energy use across its estate.

The project forms part of Chester Zoo’s wider partnership with Mitsubishi Electric to reduce carbon emissions across the 128-acre site, which has committed to becoming Net Zero in scope one and two emissions by 2030.

Native to cold, mountainous regions of Central and South Asia, snow leopards require carefully managed environments and need to stay cool during the warmer summer months.

To meet this need, two indoor habitats have been equipped with a 3.3kW Mitsubishi Electric MXZ-F R32 inverter heat pump and two PEAD-M R32 power inverter heat pumps, providing cooling and comfort for the endangered species.

Renovations to the snow leopard habitat are part of a longstanding partnership between Chester Zoo and Mitsubishi Electric, which has included the provision of air source heat pumps, air conditioning and ventilation to The Square, the zoo’s purpose-built butterfly and Eastern black rhino habitats.

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