Three lions die in Tokyo as record-breaking temperatures hit East Asia | CNN

Three lions at a Tokyo zoo died within a week of suspected heat stress, as extreme temperatures sweep across Japan and other parts of East Asia. The Tama Zoological Park, located in Hino city in the greater Tokyo metropolis, closed its lion exhibit in late July when several of their big cats started showing health problems including loss of appetite and fatigue, the zoo said in a news release. Their symptoms coincided with a heat wave that had begun earlier in the month. The zoo tried to cool down the affected lions with water sprays and industrial fans, as well as delivering intravenous fluids and medication, it said. A total of ten lions received treatment –– but a three-year-old female lion, Mugi, died on July 28. Three days later, 11-year-old female Ichigo died; then on Sunday, 15-year-old female Luena. While autopsies will determine an official cause of death, the three lions all showed signs of dehydration and multiple organ failure, suggesting heat stress was a factor. Four remaining lions are recovering, but three others are still unwell and undergoing treatment, the zoo said. Japan has endured a punishing stretch of heat. Temperatures reached at least 40 degrees Celsiu