Jumbos enjoy mud bath after first monsoon rain

Keonjhar: Prolonged spells of intense heatwave this year baked the earth and hit the animal kingdom hard. Having suffered a harrowing time due to the lack of rain, animals and humans alike were waiting desperately for the onset of the monsoon. After a long dry spell, it has been raining for the past two days in Keonjhar district as the monsoon has finally arrived. Each animal has its own way of enjoying little things in its life. With the rain bringing much-needed relief, a herd of gentle giants was seen relishing a mud bath near Mirigikhoj village under Patana block of Keonjhar district. Elephants love mud pools because their bodies tend to generate high metabolic heat. With no sweat glands to relieve the temperature, they tend to rely on mud to stay cool. After sweltering in the heat for months together, the entire herd — starting from the calves to adult elephants — is now in a mood to enjoy the monsoon. Local villagers are also having a great time witnessing the rare scene.