Suspected heatstroke kills three lions at Japan zoo

Three lions from Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo have passed away due to suspected heatstroke, with two more lions currently under treatment after showing symptoms of the condition, the zoo spokesperson said on Tuesday. This incident comes amid Japan's hottest summer on record last year, with temperatures reaching 40°C (104°F) in parts of the country.

Since mid-July, 10 out of the 16 lions at the zoo have experienced symptoms like loss of appetite, decreased activity, dehydration, and multiple organ failure, leading to the deaths of three lionesses – one on Tuesday, another on Friday, and the third on Sunday. Zoo officials stated that while lions are typically resistant to heat, they have intensified measures to cope with Japan's high humidity during summer, including sprinkling water, improving ventilation, and installing spot air conditioners.

The sudden onset of heat after the rainy season ended in late July is believed to have contributed to the tragic outcome. Japan has seen close to 18,600 heatstroke-related hospital visits between July 20 and 26, with 45 fatalities on arrival, according to the Fire and Disaster Management Agency. The country experiences around 1,300 heat-related deaths annually and aims to reduce this number by half by 2030, primarily driven by the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme heat events linked to human-induced climate change.