Three lions have died at a zoo in Tokyo after Japan was hit by a period of extreme heat and high humidity, zoo officials have confirmed.
The deceased lions—Mugi (3), Ichigo (11) and Luna (15)—died between July 28 and early August. Post-mortem examinations found that the animals had suffered from severe dehydration and multiple organ failure, with officials suspecting that the unusually high temperatures were the primary cause.
Zoo representative Miwa Kosaka described the incident as unprecedented, saying it was the first time such an event had occurred at the facility.
The zoo also reported that three other lions remain in critical condition, while four are recovering after receiving treatment. Air-conditioned enclosures and industrial cooling fans have been set up to help the affected animals cope with the extreme weather.
Professor Hideaki Karaki, a veterinary expert at the University of Tokyo, explained that lions regulate their body temperature by panting rather than sweating. However, the exceptionally high humidity reduced the effectiveness of this cooling process, while the sudden rise in temperatures since mid-July further worsened conditions.
Temperatures in parts of Japan have exceeded 40°C, prompting zoo authorities to step up efforts to protect the remaining animals from the ongoing heatwave.
