Heatwave in Tokyo: Three lionesses died at the zoo
The zoo spokesperson stated, "According to our veterinarian, the suspected cause of death is heatstroke." She explained that the local heat is accompanied by high humidity, unlike the climate in Africa.
Three lionesses at a Tokyo zoo have died in recent days, apparently from heatstroke, and other lions are still receiving treatment. This was announced this Tuesday by a zoo spokesperson.
According to the report, the lions are struggling to cope with high humidity levels. Last year, Japan experienced the hottest summer on record, and in recent weeks, temperatures of 40 degrees Celsius have been recorded in various regions—a figure that has led to the use of the new term "Cruelly Hot Day."
Since mid-July, 10 out of 16 lions at the Tama Zoological Park have suffered from symptoms such as loss of appetite and decreased activity, and three lionesses have died. One lioness died last Tuesday, the second on Friday, and the third two days ago.
"According to our veterinarian, the suspected cause of death is heatstroke," the zoo spokesperson told the French news agency AFP.
According to her, signs of dehydration and multi-system failure were observed in the lionesses.
"Although it is commonly thought that lions are resistant to heat, in recent years zookeepers have strengthened measures to cope with the summer heat in Japan. The heat here is accompanied by high humidity, and this is different from the dry heat in Africa," the spokesperson explained. "But this summer, the heat arrived suddenly, immediately after the end of the rainy season in late July. We are further strengthening measures to cope with the heat—spraying water, improving ventilation, and installing spot air conditioners."
Several other lions remain under medical observation. According to the Japanese Fire and Disaster Management Agency, between July 20 and July 26, nearly 18,600 people were hospitalized due to heatstroke, and 45 of them died.
