Elephants and bears savour icy popsicles at Agra shelter

By Brij Khandelwal
Agra, May 20 With the rise in day temperatures, bears and elephants at the Agra and Mathura shelters of the Wildlife SOS, are splashing in the giant pools and savouring icy popsicles and water melons.

The animals have to be provided cool and comfortable stay, say the functionaries of the wildlife NGO.

"We have taken innovative measures to ensure the resident sloth bears and elephants in our care stay cool this summer."

Over 100 Sloth bears residing at the Agra Bear Rescue Facility located in Sur Sarovar Bird Sanctuary, have been provided with water sprinklers that have been strategically installed in their spacious enclosures to create refreshing mists, so the bears can get respite from the scorching heat.

To supplement their hydration needs, the bears are offered fruits, oral rehydration solutions and ice popsicles which are essentially delicious pieces of juicy fruits frozen in blocks of ice. Additionally, the bears have access to large water pools, and individual resting dens have designated coolers that blow cool air into the bear dens to allow them to cool off, ensuring their comfort and well-being throughout the summer months.

Similar measures have been taken for the elephants at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre and Elephant Hospital Campus in Mathura which is run in collaboration with the Uttar Pradesh Forest Department. The elephants are given refreshing scrub baths every morning and they spend hours enjoying refreshing dips in their personal jumbo pools.

The elephants also take frequent dust baths and throw mud on their backs during the day. This acts as a natural sunscreen and protects their skin from the harsh sun. Similar to the sloth bears, the elephants are offered refreshing summer fruits and water sprinklers providing additional relief.

Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-Founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, said, "Our primary focus is the well-being and welfare of the animals entrusted to us. With the summer season upon us, we have taken effective measures to help our sloth bears and elephants cope with the rising temperatures."

Baiju Raj M.V, Director Conservation Projects for Wildlife SOS, said, "Wildlife SOS remains dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of long-term care for all their rescued animals. The summer management programme is just one example of the organisation's commitment to providing a safe and comfortable environment for the sloth bears and elephants in our care."