Photos: Hot spring soaks for buffaloes in wintry Turkey

By HT Correspondent

Updated On Jan 31, 2019 12:06 pm IST

In eastern Turkey, the hot springs in the mountainous Bitlis province are a refuge for the buffaloes and other animals from the freezing wintry weather. These hot springs help keep the animals clean and also provide them a therapeutic meditation as they go through the winter and in summer, the buffaloes swim in the cool waters of the plains.

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Water buffaloes bathe in a hot spring near the village of Budakli, in the mountainous Bitlis province of southeastern Turkey. For the buffaloes in eastern Turkey, the hot springs in the mountainous Bitlis province are a welcome refuge from the freezing wintry weather. (Emrah Gurel / AP)

Updated on Jan 31, 2019 12:06 pm IST

Water buffaloes bathe in a hot spring near the village of Budakli, in the mountainous Bitlis province of southeastern Turkey. For the buffaloes in eastern Turkey, the hot springs in the mountainous Bitlis province are a welcome refuge from the freezing wintry weather. (Emrah Gurel / AP)

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A water buffalo belonging to the Toren family is pictured in a stable in the village of Budakli. Residents in the tiny village of Budakli walk hundreds of buffaloes up snow-covered roads to the geothermal springs near the dormant Nemrut volcano in the winter. (Emrah Gurel / AP)

Updated on Jan 31, 2019 12:06 pm IST

A water buffalo belonging to the Toren family is pictured in a stable in the village of Budakli. Residents in the tiny village of Budakli walk hundreds of buffaloes up snow-covered roads to the geothermal springs near the dormant Nemrut volcano in the winter. (Emrah Gurel / AP)

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Muhammed Toren walks his family's water buffaloes to a hot spring. The animals already know the way and spend hours in the steamy 40 degrees Celsius waters — so much so that the young men herding them struggle to get the massive animals out of the water and go home. (Emrah Gurel / AP)

Updated on Jan 31, 2019 12:06 pm IST

Muhammed Toren walks his family's water buffaloes to a hot spring. The animals already know the way and spend hours in the steamy 40 degrees Celsius waters — so much so that the young men herding them struggle to get the massive animals out of the water and go home. (Emrah Gurel / AP)

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Water buffaloes bathe in a hot spring near the village of Budakli. The hot springs help keep the animals clean as they go through the winter. In the summer, the buffaloes swim in the cool waters of the plains. (Emrah Gurel / AP)

Updated on Jan 31, 2019 12:06 pm IST

Water buffaloes bathe in a hot spring near the village of Budakli. The hot springs help keep the animals clean as they go through the winter. In the summer, the buffaloes swim in the cool waters of the plains. (Emrah Gurel / AP)

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Muhammed Toren, 18, washes his horse in a hot spring along with his water buffaloes. One caretaker likened the bathing to a form of therapeutic meditation for buffaloes. The men can also take a break from winter and enjoy the swim. (Emrah Gurel / AP)

Updated on Jan 31, 2019 12:06 pm IST

Muhammed Toren, 18, washes his horse in a hot spring along with his water buffaloes. One caretaker likened the bathing to a form of therapeutic meditation for buffaloes. The men can also take a break from winter and enjoy the swim. (Emrah Gurel / AP)

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It’s mostly children who take care of the animals, taking them to fields to graze and to their swim. The children often don’t receive an education beyond middle school because they need to help their families in the small village, covered in snow for nearly half the year. (Emrah Gurel / AP)

Updated on Jan 31, 2019 12:06 pm IST

It’s mostly children who take care of the animals, taking them to fields to graze and to their swim. The children often don’t receive an education beyond middle school because they need to help their families in the small village, covered in snow for nearly half the year. (Emrah Gurel / AP)

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Berkan Toren, 20, enjoys a hot spring along with his water buffaloes. Villagers say the hot springs heal buffaloes’ wounds, alleviate discomfort in their udders and make quality milk. (Emrah Gurel / AP)

Updated on Jan 31, 2019 12:06 pm IST

Berkan Toren, 20, enjoys a hot spring along with his water buffaloes. Villagers say the hot springs heal buffaloes’ wounds, alleviate discomfort in their udders and make quality milk. (Emrah Gurel / AP)

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Berkan Toren returns to his village of Budakli after walking his water buffaloes to a bath in a nearby hot spring. The village’s main source of income is cheese, butter and milk from the buffaloes. Tourists, mostly local, also come to bathe, especially for rheumatic diseases and skin ailments. (Emrah Gurel / AP)

Updated on Jan 31, 2019 12:06 pm IST

Berkan Toren returns to his village of Budakli after walking his water buffaloes to a bath in a nearby hot spring. The village’s main source of income is cheese, butter and milk from the buffaloes. Tourists, mostly local, also come to bathe, especially for rheumatic diseases and skin ailments. (Emrah Gurel / AP)

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