Water Pools And Ice Popsicles Are Keeping These Rescued Animals Cool In Scorching Summer

Summer is still showing its might in most parts of north India, and hot days are making lives difficult for both humans and animals.

While humans can still take refuge under ACs, coolers and fans, animals are not that lucky.

They often struggle to keep themselves cool and even find food or water.

But a group of rescued animals - elephants and bears are luckier than most others.

Wildlife SOS

Wildlife SOS which runs several centers for former performance animals like elephants and bears have adopted unique measures to protect them the punishing heat.

Water pools for elephants

At the Elephant Conservation and Care Center and Elephant Hospital Campus in Mathura, all 29 resident pachyderms are given refreshing scrub baths every morning and they have access to jumbo pools in their spacious enclosures.

Wildlife SOS

Water pools are available in every enclosure for the animals to swim in and cool off as well as water sprinklers that help soften the ground and create cool zones inside their free-ranging enclosures.

While the older elephants prefer spending hours simply relaxing in the cool refreshing water some of the younger, more playful ones like Peanut, Coconut, Laxmi and Chanchal enjoy splashing around in the pool or in the river situated right next to India's first and only Elephant Hospital.

The elephants also enjoy taking dust baths and throwing mud on their backs during the day. This acts as natural sunscreen and protects their skin from the harsh sun.

Wildlife SOS

"We have provided sufficient shade and adequate water in all the enclosures. Special dietary arrangements have also been made and we are including vitamin supplements and electrolyte solutions to prevent heat strokes and dehydration," Dr. S Ilayaraja, Deputy Director Veterinary Services for Wildlife SOS, said.

Popsicles for bears

At the Agra Bear Rescue Facility¡ªthe world's largest sloth bear rescue and rehabilitation centre, resident bears relish platters of refreshing summer fruits and popsicles which have delicious pieces of juicy fruits frozen in blocks of ice to help beat the heat.

These specially designed enrichments also provide much needed mental and physical stimulation and enrichment.

Wildlife SOS

The bears are also given vitamin and electrolyte supplements in their daily porridge and also in the drinking water to ensure they stay hydrated. In addition, individual bear dens have designated coolers that blow cool air into the bear dens.

"It fills our hearts with joy to watch them relaxing in the water or enjoying their special juicy fruit diet and ice popsicles," Baiju Raj MV, Director Conservation Projects, Wildlife SOS said.

Wildlife SOS

Special summer diet for bears

The NGO also runs another facility for the bears at the Van Vihar Bear Rescue Centre in Bhopal.

Apart from keeping them cool, the bears are also given special summer diet consisting of porridge and fruits which are high in water content, such as watermelons, muskmelons, grapes and apples.

Established in 2006, the Van Vihar Bear Rescue Facility is run by Wildlife SOS in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department and Van Vihar National Park.

Rescued form a lifetime of abuse

"At the Van Vihar Bear Rescue Facility, there are ponds in every enclosure and water sprinklers running at regular intervals. Depending on their mood, the bears can sometimes be spotted enjoying themselves under the water sprinklers to get respite from the heat. They are most active during the early hours of the day or after sundown. During the afternoon, most of the bears rest inside their dens or under the shade of trees," Dr. Rajat Kulkarni, Veterinary Officer , Wildlife SOS said.

Wildlife SOS

The center is currently providing long term medical treatment and care to 20 Sloth Bears that have been rescued from the Dancing Bear trade, from poaching, and human-bear conflict situations. These bears are unfit for release into the wild as they were mutilated, suffering from severe physical and psychological trauma and are facing chronic medical problems.

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