Bhubaneswar, May 14: Bhitarkanika National Park authorities have taken steps to protect wild animals from the prevailing heat wave.

Steps have been taken to maintain the natural sources of water for the captive crocodiles, spotted deer and wild boars in the park.

"Animals such as deer and boar never consume saline water, they rely on freshwater. The department has dug up more than 25 new freshwater ponds in the mangrove zones where these animals stay," said divisional forest officer, Rajnagar wildlife division, Bimal Prasanna Acharya.

Twenty ponds in the core area have been refurbished to maintain proper water level in these water bodies. Besides, themanually ," said a forest official.

The forest department has also intensified vigil to curb poaching activities.

The risk of poaching increases at this time as animals move about in search of water sources.