Three lions die from heatstroke at Tokyo zoo amid extreme heatwave

Three female lions have died at Tokyo's Tama Zoological Park, with heatstroke identified as the likely cause amid Japan's severe and prolonged heatwave. The zoo announced that the lions struggled to endure the high humidity and temperatures gripping the country, where mercury levels have reached 40 degrees Celsius in some areas.

Since mid-July, 10 of the 16 lions at the Tama zoo exhibited symptoms such as loss of appetite and decreased activity. Three lionesses died in rapid succession between July 28 and August 2. Necropsies performed by zoo veterinarians confirmed dehydration and multi-organ failure in all three deceased animals. The zoo has temporarily closed the lion enclosure pending further review.

Zoo veterinarians noted that the lions showed signs of dehydration and organ failure. The deceased were aged three, 11, and 15. Zoo staff have previously strengthened heat protection measures, acknowledging Japan's humid climate differs from Africa's dry heat. This summer, however, the heat arrived abruptly after the rainy season ended in late July.

In response, the zoo is further intensifying its anti-heat measures, including spraying facilities and improving air conditioning. Several lions remain under veterinary observation. Animal welfare organization PETA expressed sorrow over the lions' deaths, stating that zoos are neither rescue centers nor sanctuaries and that animals live in captivity, deprived of essential elements of their wild lives.

The extreme heat has also impacted humans, with Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency reporting nearly 18,600 hospitalizations due to heatstroke between July 20 and 26, resulting in 45 deaths upon arrival at hospitals. Japan aims to halve its estimated 1,300 annual heat-related deaths by 2030. Scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events globally to climate change caused by human activity.

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The zoo is enhancing heat protection measures, while animal welfare groups like PETA criticize zoos for keeping animals in captivity.