As summers set in early, here's how birds and animals try to cope with the heat

A flock of birds encircle a leafless tree trying to find shade in the scorching sun, near Attukal temple in Thiruvananthapuram. (B P Deepu | EPS)

A raft of ducks beat the heat and enjoy an afternoon swim at Chembarambakkam reservoir. (D Sampath Kumar | EPS)

A thirsty Indian palm squirrel finds a pot of water by a field in Bhubaneswar. (Biswanath Swain | EPS)

Water level recedes at Red Hills reservoir, the main source of drinking water to Chennai. Cattle make do with available water in the reservoir. (Shiba Prasad Sahu | EPS)

The majestic white tiger is no different when it comes to handling the sweltering afternoon sun. At Nehru Zoological Park in Hyderabad, a white tiger is seen taking a dip to cool itself. (Vinay Madapu | EPS)

In Bhubaneswar, as the summers set in early, a myna is seen staring at its reflection in a water puddle before drinking from it. (Biswanath Swain | EPS)