As temperatures soar, animals at the Ramat Gan Safari in Tel Aviv are beating the heat with icy treats. Tigers prefer blood popsicles, while other animals, such as bears and monkeys, indulge in fruit and fish flavored pops. The zookeepers hope that the treats will help keep the animals safe as a hotter than usual weather socks Israel with high temperatures and humidity.

Meanwhile, people throughout Israel are relying on air conditioning and fans to help cool off, spiking power demands near the limits of available reserves. On Tuesday Israeli Electric Corporation declared that the power usage had set a record for 2012 and reached a critical level, meaning “[the] extent of the demand is almost reaching the electricity production limit and power outages are likely to occur.”

Israeli Electric Corporation has asked the public to help out by not using electricity-guzzling appliances during afternoon hours, when energy use peaks.

“At this stage cooperation of the public is required, in order to return the system to balance and stable activity,” the IEP said.

So far, conservation efforts have prevented widespread blackouts in Israel, which Israeli Electric Corporation predicted would occur as heat indexes reach over 110 degrees.

“The IEC appreciates and values the public’s response, which reflects an understanding and devotion to the crisis,” an IEC spokesperson said.

Yet, as the heat wave lingers, energy consumption is likely to rise as more power is needed to maintain the same inside temperatures, further taxing an electrical grid that has been hobbled by a shortage of natural gas to fuel power plants.

“It’s going to be a tough week,” Yiftach Ron-Tal, chairman of IEC, announced at a joint press conference last week with Minister of Energy and Water Resources Uzi Landau.