GREEN BAY, Wis. (NBC 26) -- We are stuck in a cold snap here in Northeast Wisconsin.
Many of us worry about how to keep our families safe and warm during this time. The Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is focused on the same thing with their animals.
Not every animal enjoys the cold as much as the wolves.
All of the animals at the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary are native to Northeast Wisconsin but some of them still need a little extra help when the temperatures dip this low.
Take the birds for example.
"Even though they have those nice layers of feathers on top, their legs are very exposed," said Lory Bankson, the curator of animals at Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary.
Some of the bird are brought indoors for the winter.
"Make sure all of our birds have a heated perch that they can stand on and know where it is," said Bankson. "Some of our mammals we give them a heat spot they can lay on."
Lori says most mammals fair okay in the cold.
They mainly worry about the opossums with their exposed tails and ears, and some of the older animals at the sanctuary.
"Shelter, heat, food and water are the four main things we make sure they have right now," said Bankson.
The otters are turning 13-years-old this year.
They drained the outdoor swimming areas for the otters so they don't get trapped under ice. They do have an indoor swimming area for them to use.
The aging bobcats are another animal they watch closely.
The outdoor areas at the sanctuary are open for visitors all winter long but it is up to the animal if they want to show off.
"If they don't want to go outside we don't force them to go outside," said Bankson. "We give them that choice."
There are plenty of animals that enjoy the cold.
For those braving the elements, staff at the Wildlife Sanctuary sets out special food and heated water buckets.
"Animals get dehydrated just like us," said Bankson. "We make sure everyone has access to some sort of fresh water."
If you'd like to help out the animals in your yard this winter, you can make your own makeshift shelter using a laundry basket and towels.
This type of shelter is great for birds and small mammals to get out of the wind.
You can take it a step further with a heated pad or water bucket.
IF you find an animal in distress, the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is still taking in animals at this time.
The Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary is taking part in Give Big Green Bay again this year.
If you'd like to donate to them, you can find more information here.
