PREVIEW

A group of rescued bears in India is struggling to stay cool after the country recorded an unprecedented temperature of 52.3 degrees Celsius.

International Animal Rescue's (IAR) partners, Wildlife SOS (WSOS), are working tirelessly to help the bears in their rescue centres cope with the extreme heat. Recently, red alerts have been issued for several areas in India's northwest, including Agra, home to the country's largest bear rescue facility managed by WSOS and funded by IAR.

In these extreme conditions, the bears need constant, specialised care to stay cool and comfortable. Although sloth bears are naturally adapted to India's warm climate, the current temperatures are dangerously high, causing a devastating impact and claiming the lives of hundreds of people and wildlife.

Unlike humans, bears cannot seek out ways to combat the heat, so the experienced team at Wildlife SOS provides a constant supply of cooling measures. They have freshwater pools in the bears' enclosures that are refilled with clean water every two to three days. Various fruit enrichments are placed in and around the pools to keep the bears occupied and hydrated. The enclosures are also equipped with sprinkler systems to create a cool, damp environment during the hottest parts of the day.

Inside the dens, caregivers use several methods to lower the temperature. After cleaning, they sprinkle water on the brick walls to cool them down. Windows and doors are covered with jute padding or straw sacks that are consistently sprinkled with water. The breeze blowing through the wet padding acts as an effective natural cooler.

Additionally, the bears are treated to giant frozen ice lollies made of fresh, juicy fruits and a honey-water mixture. These lollies are so cold that some bears prefer to lie on them before eating them.