Three Lions Dead at Tokyo Zoo Amid Record Heatwave
Tama Zoological Park grapples with suspected heatstroke deaths as Japan endures 'disaster' summer.
Carla Rooney
Three female lions died at Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo from suspected heatstroke.
Tama Zoological Park closed its lion enclosure to the public on July 23; the animals' condition rapidly deteriorated.
These deaths occurred during a summer Japan's Fire and Disaster Management Agency described as a 'disaster.' Record-breaking temperatures led to thousands of heat-related hospitalizations and dozens of deaths nationwide.
Japan recorded temperatures of 40C or above for five consecutive days up to July 25. This marked the longest such period since comparable records began.
This is the first time we've experienced anything like this. Last year was also hot, but none of our lions fell ill like this.
Miwa Kosaka stated, "This is the first time we've experienced anything like this. Last year was also hot, but none of our lions fell ill like this."
Post-mortem examinations indicated widespread dehydration and multiple organ failure in the animals. Tama Zoological Park attributes the lions' deaths to suspected heatstroke, with a veterinarian observing dehydration and multiple organ failure.
Ten of the zoo’s 16 lions needed treatment since temperatures rose in mid-July. However, Tama Zoo maintains the causes of death can only be determined after test results are out, with confirmation pending specific laboratory results.