Bears in a Shanghai zoo have started begging for cola from tourists as a heat wave scorches eastern China, state media said.

With temperatures in the past week hovering around 35 degrees Celsius (95 Fahrenheit), keepers at the Shanghai Wildlife Park have been feeding extra helpings of chilled watermelon, apples and other snacks to parched animals, the Xinhua News Agency said.

But the zoo's thirsty bears have taken to rearing up on their hind legs when tourist trolleys pass, posing with paws folded in exchange for cold drinks from visitors.

"The bears drink up every drop of Coca-Cola they get, but kick away a bottle of tasteless mineral water after a few sips," Xinhua reported.

Shanghai's pandas -- the stars of the zoo and a treasured national symbol -- live in an air-conditioned hut and are given blocks of ice to keep cool.

Endangered Siberian tigers have taken refuge in the shade and look "less dignified than usual", Xinhua added.

( China Daily July 31, 2002 )