Animals at Straw Plains park struggle to stay warm

These days, Circle G Ranch in Straw Plains resembles a winter wonderland--but it's not all fun and games for owner Christy Michel or the nearly 600 animals that call it home.

"It's hitting everybody. Three or four days of these temperatures max is ok, but with the current conditions, there's not enough sun to get core temperatures back up, so you really have to throw the feed to them and the hay," says Michel.

It's truly become sunup to sundown, extending their daily chores by hours. Ice has to constantly be knocked out of the water troughs. And now, animals must be fed twice a day.

"Keep fuller bellies and obviously keep them warmer."

The furrier creatures seem to almost enjoy the chill. Even the ducks are managing, warming themselves in a corner of a pond they've kept from icing over. But not everyone is as resourceful or equipped.

For example, camels are usually resilient in cold weather, but several months ago, one female's fur was shaved due to infection. Now, she's having to take more human-like measures.

"We're having to put a wool blanket on her and tie it over her," says Michel. "And, she's very happy about it, but she still shakes a little bit."

Christy and her husband are living by the philosophy of 'whatever it takes.'

They've even converted their own garage and living space into a makeshift birthing center for the mothers-to-be among their stock.

"It's our life, and it's their life, and it's our livelihood. Babies need the nice warm temperatures. I've even got some bottle babies."

A piglet named Charlotte is one of the animals Michel is bottle feeding. She lost her mother to the cold. Christy tried everything to save the pig.

"We even brought her inside. Once it gets down like that, it's very difficult to get an animal's temperature back up."

Thankfully, she's the only animal Circle G Ranch has lost in the record cold snap.

"We're extremely lucky, but that's the hours and the extra care we're putting into it."

And they'll continue doing so as they watch and wait for for warmer days.

"I would like to at least see it above 32. Anything above 33, 34 degrees, I could deal with at this point. That would seem like a heat wave to us and to them. Some sun would be nice, too."

Right now, Circle G Ranch is closed because the roads there are still covered, but as soon as they dry out, it will reopen from 10 a.m to 5 p.m., seven days a week.

Winter admission is only $5 per person. For more information, call Circle G Ranch at 865-932-0070.