Three lions die of suspected heatstroke at Tokyo zoo as Japan swelters
Most of the zoo’s 16 lions have struggled to cope with high humidity this summer Three lions from a Tokyo zoo have died from suspected heatstroke and others are undergoing treatment, a spokesperson said on Tuesday, as the big cats struggle in Japan’s high levels of humidity. Japan sweltered through its hottest summer on record last year and parts of the country have hit 40C in recent weeks,…
Three lions at Tokyo's Tama zoo have succumbed to suspected heatstroke as the country swelters through its hottest summer on record. In addition to the three fatalities, several other lions are receiving medical treatment for similar symptoms, including loss of appetite and decreased activity. The cause of the deaths is believed to be heatstroke, as veterinarians observed dehydration and multiple organ failure in the affected animals.
Zoo officials have been increasing countermeasures to combat the extreme heat, which is compounded by the country's high humidity levels. Japan experienced its hottest summer ever last year, with temperatures reaching 40C in some regions, earning the country a new "cruelly hot day" designation. Since mid-July, 10 of the 16 lions at Tama zoo have been suffering from heat-related issues, with three lionesses dying since Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday.
Zookeepers have been implementing measures such as sprinkling water, improving ventilation, and installing spot air conditioners to protect the big cats. The zoo is still treating several lions, and the incident has raised concerns about the impact of climate change on extreme heat events in Japan. In July alone, about 18,600 people were hospitalized for heatstroke, with 45 of them dying on arrival.
The country aims to halve the number of heat-related deaths by 2030, and scientists attribute the increasing frequency and intensity of such events to human-induced climate change. South Korea is currently battling a heatwave, with rising temperatures linked to at least 16 deaths.
Written by urgent.news from The Guardian's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
- Three lions die at zoo as Japan swelters in extreme heat rte.ie
- Suspected heatstroke kills 3 lions at Japan zoo freemalaysiatoday.com
- Three lions die in zoo as Japan battles extreme heat bbc.co.uk
- Suspected heatstroke kills three lions at Japan zoo channelnewsasia.com
