Vodka-drinking elephants fit to perform in Siberian circus

The pair became worldwide celebrities when a fire ignited in their vehicle en route from Novosibirsk to Omsk. Forced out from their blazing trailer they had to stand in temperatures as low as minus 41C. Media reports on how they were given the traditional Russian remedy of vodka - ten litres of it, mixed with warm water - went round the globe. 

The elephants, aged 45 and 48, did suffer limited frostbite on the tips of their ears, said one vet, but they are reported to be recovering well and are already rehearsing for their performance at Omsk Circus on 22 December.

'They are already here,' said Elena Agafonova, director of Omsk circus. Posters for their performance show them wearing Christmas hats. 

'The rehearsals have already started as well. The fist show will take place 22 December. 

'We prepared 60 bottles of Vishnevsky ointment - for humans it will be too much but its just enough for 5-ton elephants. We use the ointment to lubricate the ears.'

She stressed: 'The elephants not longer feel stressed. They are feeling very and ready for the performance'. 

Their trainer Sergey Gulevich did not cope with the cold so well. He needed hospital treatment for frostbite which he suffered as he cared for the elephants after the fire. The elephants are part of a troupe travelling back from Japan to Poland via Siberia.