Extreme heat kills three lionesses at Tokyo zoo

Extreme heat in Japan has taken a tragic toll on the animal inhabitants of Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo, with three lionesses succumbing to the sweltering conditions.

The lions, along with 10 of the 16 big cats at the park, experienced a loss of appetite and decreased activity starting in mid-July. The zoo reported that one lioness died on Tuesday, another on Friday, and the third on Sunday. Veterinarians attributed the deaths to dehydration and multi-organ failure, consistent with heatstroke.

A zoo spokesperson explained that while lions are generally heat-tolerant, the dry air in their native African habitats differs significantly from the high humidity experienced in Japan, especially after the recent rainy season. The current heatwave has seen temperatures soar to 40 degrees Celsius, exacerbating the animals' suffering.

In response, the zoo is reinforcing its heat protection strategies. Measures include installing sprinklers, improving ventilation systems, and setting up spot air conditioners to mitigate the impact of the extreme temperatures. Meanwhile, the human toll of the heatwave in Japan has also been severe, with 45 deaths reported between July 20 and 26, and over 18,600 people hospitalized for heatstroke.

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Although lions are considered resistant to heat, the air in Africa is dry.