As local residents swelter through the "dog days" -- the hottest and most humid days of the year -- animals at the Shanghai Wildlife Park are keeping to their summer resorts away from the scorching sun.

With the maximum daytime temperature hovering above 35 degrees Celsius in recent weeks, Siberian tigers at the park have started taking turns to stay indoors. And those still roaming around the park are looking less dignified than usual and frequently retreat into the shade or ponds to cool down.

Nevertheless, life is easier for the black and brown bears, who know how to enjoy summer. When tired of swimming and splashing about, the bears are hiding in the trees and waiting for their "prey" -- visitors driven about the park in wheeled carts.

Each time a cart passes by, a group of bears greets the tourists in their special way -- standing up on their hind legs with two paws folded in front.

Amused and delighted by their gestures, some tourists offer them something "nice" to drink -- but not always the right varietythough: the bears drink up every drop of Coca Cola they get, but kick away a bottle of tasteless mineral water after a few mouthfuls.

Even "emigrants" from Africa are not so contented in the hot summer sun: from time to time, zebras and antelopes from South Africa flock to the ponds to drink their fill.

Asian elephants often make full use of their huge fanlike ears and long trunks to splash and spray water all over themselves.

Giant pandas, long "spoiled" by zookeepers as China's national gems, seldom leave their comfortable abode -- air-conditioned houses containing the blocks of ice to bring the temperature down that the zookeepers frequently replace.

Hence, zookeepers are having a busy and hard time: veterinarians do their rounds regularly to ensure all park animalsare in a sound condition while chefs meticulously prepare yummy nutritious meals for these precious animals and treat them to special desserts - chilled watermelon, sweet apples, as well as bananas and potatoes.

( Xinhua News Agency July 30, 2002)