May 25, 2026
NEW DELHI – Amid soaring temperatures and heat wave across major cities in North India, the rescued elephants at a Mathura-based rehabilitation centre in Uttar Pradesh are being provided special cooling care by authorities.
The elephants at the facility are being given ice popsicles, frozen fruit blocks, regular mud baths, curd-based diets as well as frequent access to water, PTI reported.
In total, there are 34 elephants housed at the Elephant Conservation and Care Centre and Elephant Hospital Campus in Mathura. Among these include 14 male and 20 female elephants, including a calf.
Officials taking care of the animals have shared that they are providing shaded areas, sprinklers, along with modified walking schedules to help the elephants, amid the extreme heat wave conditions.
Notably, the rehabilitation centre is run by Wildlife SOS and remains the only dedicated centre in the region.
Due to their biological characteristics, elephants are especially vulnerable during the time of summer season, said Dr Shankar Singh, Associate Professor at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalaya Evam Go-Anusandhan Sansthan.
Highlighting that elephants maintain a body temperature of around 36 to 36.5 degrees Celsius, Dr Singh told PTI, “Even small increases in environmental heat can impose physiological stress on them.”
Since they have very few sweat glands, elephants cannot cool themselves efficiently through sweating. Moreover, their body size further slows heat dissipation.
“Access to water, mud wallowing, and shade is biologically essential for thermoregulation in elephants, the official added.
The centre’s summer management programme remains focused on hydration and thermal relief, said Kartick Satyanarayan, co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS.
“Walks have now been rescheduled to early mornings and late evenings so that elephants can remain active while avoiding the harsh midday heat,” Satyanarayan said.