Alan Monroe from The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens joined us again with another cool jacket—and even cooler updates. Known for his signature style and passion for wildlife, Monroe brought insight into how animals beat the desert heat and how the Living Desert is helping conserve species far beyond the Coachella Valley.
With triple-digit temperatures this time of year, you might wonder how the animals stay cool. Alan says many species at the zoo are naturally adapted to the heat, but that doesn’t mean they don’t get extra comfort. The team provides shaded areas, access to water, misters, and even “bloodsicles”—frozen treats mixed with blood for the big cats. “They’ll sit there and lick it like a kid all day long,” Alan said. “If you were a mountain lion, you’d love it.”
But the conversation also traveled across the globe to Ikh Nart Nature Reserve in Mongolia, where The Living Desert has a long-standing conservation partnership. Right now, staff are in the field working to protect critically endangered animals like the Argali sheep—of which only about 5,000 remain worldwide. The high desert area mirrors winter weather here, with summer highs in the 70s and winter lows plunging to minus 40.
Alan explained the project is both scientific and community-driven. “We do basic field research, and we also work with local communities to help them make simple adjustments to preserve wildlife while continuing their livelihoods,” he said. The goal is long-term sustainability for both humans and animals.
And while bringing Argali sheep to the Coachella Valley isn’t practical due to climate differences, Alan noted they share a lot in common with our local bighorn sheep—except maybe in attitude. Asked if bighorn sheep might charge, he joked that protective males just might.
Alan closed the segment by highlighting that a rotating team of experts will continue traveling to Mongolia throughout the summer to support conservation efforts.
Explore: NBCPalmSprings.com, where we are connecting the Valley.
By: Fred Roggin
June 17, 2025
