- Three female lions at a Tokyo zoo have died of suspected heat-related illness, as Japan battles punishing summer temperatures.
- The three lions died within a week at the Tama Zoological Park in western Tokyo.
- Autopsies show that the lions, aged three to 15, had suffered from dehydration and multiple organ failure - suggesting heat was the cause, said the zoo.
- The lion enclosure at Tama Zoo has been closed due to the extreme heat and health issues among the lions.
- Japan has endured a punishing stretch of heat, with temperatures reaching at least 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) for five consecutive days in some areas in late July.
- Record-breaking temperatures have hit East Asia, coinciding with a heat wave that began earlier in July.
- More than 43,000 people across Japan have been taken into hospital for heatstroke this summer alone.
- High humidity makes it difficult for lions to regulate their body temperatures, according to a veterinary expert.
Three female lions at the Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo have died from suspected heatstroke, as Japan endures a record-breaking summer heatwave. The lions, aged three to 15, succumbed to dehydration and multiple organ failure, with autopsies indicating heat stress as a likely cause.1
The first lion, Mugi, a three-year-old, showed signs of illness on July 19, but despite efforts to cool her down with ventilation and fluids, she died on July 28. Ichigo, 11, and Luena, 15, followed shortly after, with Ichigo passing on July 31 and Luena on August 1. The zoo reported that ten of the 16 lions had exhibited symptoms like loss of appetite and fatigue since mid-July, prompting the closure of the lion exhibit.
The extreme heat has affected not only the lions but also the human population, with over 43,000 hospitalizations for heat-related illnesses this summer. Japan's weather agency has introduced a new designation for days reaching 40 degrees Celsius, termed “cruelly hot day.” The country has experienced its longest streak of temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius, with some areas recording temperatures of 40.3 degrees Celsius.
Veterinary experts have noted that high humidity complicates the lions' ability to regulate their body temperatures. The zoo has implemented measures such as water sprays and industrial fans to combat the heat, but the sudden spike in temperatures has left the animals struggling to acclimatize.8
Animal rights group PETA criticized the zoo, stating that the lions were deprived of their natural habitat and that zoos prioritize profit over animal welfare. The zoo continues to treat the remaining lions, with some showing signs of recovery.
“The lionesses — 3-year-old Mugi, 11-year-old Ichigo and 15-year-old Luena — died within a week at Tama Zoological Park in western Tokyo. Ten of the park's 16 lions have shown symptoms since mid-July; three remain unable to stand despite treatment with fluids, medication and vitamins.”
bbc.com
CBS News
