3 lionesses die, likely from extreme heat at Tama Zoo
Ten of 16 lions were treated since mid-July, and three others remain critical and unable to stand.
Three lionesses at Tama Zoo in Tokyo died over the past week and are believed to have been affected by extreme heat and high humidity. The zoo said postmortem examinations found systemic dehydration and failure of multiple organs. The three were Mugi, 3, who died on July 28; Ichigo, 11, on July 31; and Luena, 15, on Aug. 2. Since mid-July, 10 of the 16 lions at Tama had shown symptoms including weakness and loss of appetite. Three other lions remain in critical condition and unable to stand, while four have improved. The zoo closed its lion attraction on July 23 and is now adding water spraying, ventilation and spot cooling to reduce the impact of the heat wave.