Stiff Drink Saves a Pair of Freezing Elephants in Siberia

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Using a similar philosophy as to what many have said might have helped save some Titanic survivors -- liquor -- two elephants were reportedly rescued with a similar means.

Emergency ministry spokesman Alexander Davydov said Friday, according to the Associated Press, that the elephants part of the Polish circus were in a trailer that caught fire Thursday outside the city of Novosibirsk, forcing trainers to take them out into the bitter cold before another truck arrived to deliver them to a warm gym at a local community college.

The two animals age 45 and 48 drank 2.6 gallons of vodka diluted in warm water. Later, a veterinarian said only the tips of their ears were frostbitten.

Although scientists say that alcohol can make humans feel warmer but actually lowers their core body temperature, Novosibisk zoo director Rostislav Shilo told the daily that the vodka saved the animals from frostbite and pneumonia, without harming or even intoxicating them.

According to this ITN News report, the animals are recovered and back at training. Check it out:

The Associated Press contributed to this report.