Red alerts have been issued across north-west India, with some regions clocking a sweltering 52.3 degrees Celsius.
Coping with such heat requires ingenuity. The solution? A cold-water dip and a popsicle – at least that's what a group of sloth bears have discovered at the country's largest bear rescue facility.
Located in the city of Agra just south of Delhi, the rescue centre – managed by Wildlife SOS (WSOS) – is experiencing some of the county's hottest temperatures.
While sloth bears are naturally accustomed to India's warm climate, the current temperatures are unnaturally and dangerously high, and even this specialised species requires constant care to stay cool and comfortable.
How are the bears staying cool?
WSOS staff are employing a number of methods to help reduce the body temperatures of the bears.
The enclosures are equipped with cold-water pools and sprinkler systems. After cleaning the dens, the team splash water on the brick walls to bring the temperature down. Meanwhile, windows and doors are covered with wet straw sacks, which help cool the air when a breeze blows through.
The most unorthodox method of keep the heat at bay, however, has to be the provision of ice lollies. The giant frozen popsicles are made of fresh, juicy fruits and honey water. Despite their delicious taste, some of the bears are so set of cooling down that they lie on top of the lollies before eating them.
With global temperatures predicted to rise, India is likely to experience more extreme heatwaves in the future. WSOS says they will continue to protect the bears in every possible way.
Images and video: Credit: International Animal Rescue and Wildlife SOS
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