ALBAWABA - Three lionesses died in a Tokyo zoo from apparent heat exhaustion as Japan swelters with punishing summer temperatures.
All three animals died within a week at Tama Zoological Park in western Tokyo, following an autopsy it was revealed that the lionesses suffered from dehydration and multiple organ failure making heat the culprit, according to the zoo.
Japan has a specific term for days where the temperature is above 40 degrees Celsius, calling them “cruelly hot days” which Japan has been seeing more and more of every summer.
"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," a zoo representative said.
Mugi died first, a three-year-old lioness who had a loss of appetite on 19 July and was unable to stand up the next day, she passed despite zoo staff efforts to to cool her down, later administering subcutaneous fluids, liver tonics and vitamins to no avail.
11-year-old Ichigo died days later on 31 July and finally 15-year old Luena died on Sunday.
The zoo added that there are three more lions - two males and one female - that are "still unwell and unable to stand,” adding that they will be placed in a private enclosure equipped with portable air-conditioners and industrial fans.
Tama Zoo announced that it would suspend its lion exhibits due to the "sudden heatwave" making the lions ill.
