‘Cruelly hot day’: Three lions die at Tokyo zoo during extreme heatwave
Updated . First published at
Three female lions have died at a major zoo in Tokyo after suffering from suspected heatstroke during a period of sweltering summer temperatures across Japan.
The animals - aged 3, 11, and 15 - were among 16 lions housed at Tama Zoological Park in Hino, western Tokyo.
The three lions which died at Tama Zoological Park. Tama Zoological Park
Preliminary pathological autopsies revealed that all three lions suffered from severe dehydration and multiple organ failure, NHK News reports.
According Japanese news wire Kyodo News, zoo officials first noticed signs of illness on July 18 when two lions lost their appetites,
As temperatures continued to rise rapidly through mid-July, the condition spread quickly through the pride.
By July 22, 10 of the park’s 16 lions had fallen ill, with several animals becoming unable to stand.
In response to the deteriorating conditions, zoo keepers and veterinary staff initiated emergency care using large fans, water sprays, body cooling techniques, and direct medication to stabilise the animals.
Despite these measures, the three female lions died in succession, beginning with the three-year-old on July 28, followed by the 11-year-old on July 31, and the 15-year-old on August 2.
Three more lions are still receiving medical treatment, while staff continue to monitor the health of all the surviving pride members, BBC News reports.
Tama Zoological Park suspended its popular lion enclosure on July 23 as the crisis unfolded.
Officials stated that the exhibit will remain closed until further notice, with no firm date set for its reopening.
While official causes of death will not be formally declared until full lab test results are returned, veterinarians strongly suspect extreme heat was the primary factor.
A Tama Zoological Park told NHK News that its management was taking the deaths extremely seriously and would remain focused on managing the health of the remaining lions while investigating the full circumstances surrounding the tragedy.
Japan has been experiencing long periods of extreme heat this summer.
On July 21, Japan had its first “cruelly hot day”, a new term introduced by the country’s weather agency in April to describe days when temperatures reach 40C.
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