Tokyo, Aug 4 (EFE).- The deaths of three female lions at a Japanese zoo, suspected to be from heatstroke amid record-breaking temperatures, have drawn criticism from animal rights organizations.
Despite treatment indoors, lions Mugi, 3, Ichigo, 11, and Ruena, 15, who were all born at Tama Zoological Park, outside Tokyo, all died within the same week over July 28-Aug. 2, the facility said on Monday.
«This tragedy is a stark reminder that zoos can never provide wild animals with the control and freedom they need to protect themselves,» Jason Baker, president of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia, said in a statement sent to EFE.
A zoo spokesperson confirmed to EFE on Tuesday that the cause of death of the three lions is still under investigation.
On Monday, the zoo said in its statement that three of its lions had died after showing symptoms such as loss of appetite and fatigue for several days. Two lions began showing symptoms on July 18, and by July 22, the number of animals requiring treatment had reached 10.
