Tama Zoological Park confirms three female lions died of scorching heat stress as temperatures exceeded 40°C.
The lions’ enclosure is now closed, and other lions are still receiving treatment.
The three lions that passed away include the 3-year old Mugi, who died on July 28, the 11-year old Ichigo on July 31, and the 15-year old Luena on Sunday.
This happened as the zoo had shut down the exhibit for lions after five out of twelve lions suffered from various symptoms such as lack of appetite and lethargy. Ten of them were treated with the help of spray water, industrial fans, intravenous liquid, and medicine.
Zoo representative Miwa Kosaka said: “This is the first time we’ve experienced anything like this. Last year was also hot, but none of our lions fell ill like this.”
The country has seen punishing heat conditions, including days that were 40°C (104°F) for five straight days in late July, the longest ever recorded in Japan. For days with temperatures above 40°C, the weather service has this summer added a new category, which roughly translates to “cruelly hot day.”
According to veterinary experts, high humidity is an important issue. Unlike people, lions use the breathing method to keep the body cool through exhalation of water from their respiratory system. But when the humidity is high, this process is not very effective.
Three lions still feel sick and cannot walk, but four lions are recovering. All lions have been moved to special cages with air conditioners and industrial fans.
More than 43,000 people across Japan have been hospitalized for heatstroke, with warnings issued urging residents to stay cool.
The Tama Zoo, with about 260 species in its enclosure, has indefinitely discontinued the popular lion safari bus ride in the zoo. This happens amid the ongoing Super El Niño weather phenomenon that is making global temperatures rise, including temperatures in East Asia, where South Korea has recorded its highest temperature in 122 years of 42.5°C.
2026-08-04 18:27:00
