Heatstroke kills three lions at Tokyo zoo

Three female lions at Tama Zoological Park in western Japan — Tokyo died of suspected heatstroke between July 28 and August 2, 2026, amid a severe heatwave in Japan. The lions, aged three, 11, and 15, all born at the zoo, showed severe dehydration and multiple organ failure in autopsies, though the exact cause is still under investigation. Ten of the zoo's 16 lions became ill, with symptoms including loss of appetite, lethargy, inability to stand, and loss of consciousness. The zoo suspended public viewing of the lions on July 23 and has been providing treatment such as water-spraying, intravenous fluids, and medication. This is the first heat-related death among the zoo's lion population in its 62-year history. Japan has experienced temperatures reaching 40 degrees Celsius, with nearly 18,600 people treated for heatstroke in late July and 45 deaths. The high humidity in Japan — Tokyo, combined with the sudden temperature spike, made it difficult for the lions to thermoregulate, according to Hideaki Karaki, professor of veterinary medicine at the University of Tokyo. The zoo is managing the remaining lions, with some showing signs of recovery, and has placed them in a private enclosure with air-conditioning and fans.