NewsWorld newsHeatwaveStaff at the Tama Zoological Park in Hino, Tokyo have said three of their 16 lions died of heat exhaustion as the country suffers an unprecedented heatwave12:04, 04 Aug 2026Updated 12:20, 04 Aug 2026Lions have died at a Japanese zoo after suffering from suspected heatstroke as the country endures a record-breaking heatwave.‌Three lionesses aged three, 11, and 15, died at Tama Zoological Park in Hino, Tokyo last week, according to the Tokyo metropolitan government and the Tokyo Zoological Park Society.‌After a post mortem examination it was found that the big cats were suffering from widespread dehydration and multiple organ failure. The zoo said the cause would not be confirmed until laboratory results had come back.‌Ten of the zoo’s 16 lions reportedly needed treatment since temperatures rose in mid July.Some of the lions were left unable to stand in the baking heat, as staff tried to cool them off using fans, cold water sprays and medication. But their conditions worsened and the lion enclosure was closed to the public on July 23.‌Vets worked to save the animals but despite their best efforts, three of the lions died in the punishing heat. One female and two males are still being treated.Temperatures of 40C or above were recorded on five consecutive days to July 25 in Japan, the longest run of such heat since comparable records began.‌The unbearable weather has been declared a disaster by Japan’s Fire and Disaster Management Agency, a designation it usually uses for earthquakes and typhoons.Around 18,600 people were taken to hospital for heatstroke in Japan between July 20 and 26, the agency said, with 45 of them pronounced dead on arrival.A zoo spokesperson said: "Even though lions are thought to be resistant to heat, zoo keepers have been strengthening countermeasures to cope with Japan’s summer heat in recent years.Article continues below"Heat here comes with high humidity; that is different from heat with dry air in Africa."They added: "But this summer, heat arrived suddenly after the rainy season was over in late July."Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.‌HeatwaveHospitalsZoosAnimalsJapan