It's just not humans, but the the unprecedented heat this year has hit animals and birds hard, with several being brought over to facilities across Delhi for treatment.

According to Ajay Kainth, manager of Sanjay Gandhi Animal Care Centre that has around 3,500 animals and 600 birds, the "situation is alarming" this summer. "Despite our continuous efforts, three to four birds are dying each day. Besides, around two to four animals that are brought over daily are at a near-death stage," he added as reported by IndianExpress.

Said Dr Vijay Panwar, the medical director of the centre: "Due to the high temperatures and the heatwaves, we are facing a high mortality rate this year. I have never seen such conditions before."

Panwar said the facility treats an average of 300 outpatient cases per day, out of which 90% are dogs and cats, while the remaining are cattle.

The management informed The Indian Express that this summer, the hospital has witnessed double the heat-related cases compared to last year. "During this season, animals usually suffer from high body temperature (hyperthermia) and dehydration," the vet said. "Their treatment usually takes 3 to 5 days."

The doctor said there has been an increase in tick fever cases; besides, milk production in cattle has reduced by 20 to 30%. "We have also rescued horses and camels used for joy rides," said Kainth.

On facilities at the centre, Kainth said 35 sections across the premises have been equipped with 120 water coolers apart from fans and ACs.

The facility, chaired by BJP leader Maneka Gandhi, has 150 staffers, 12 doctors, a surgeon and four ambulances, said an official.

Meanwhile, Wildlife Rescue, an NGO in Okhla, working for the welfare of birds of prey such as eagles and owls, has also been witnessing an increase in the number of rescues. Nadeem Shehzad, a co-founder, said the NGO has already received 1,150 juveniles, nestlings and fledglings, compared to 1,222 rescues in the entire summer period last year.

The NGO gets these birds from the Police, Fire Department, Forest and Wildlife Department apart from their own rescue team and other individual rescuers.