Archive · 5 Aug 2026
Three Lions Die of Suspected Heatstroke at Tokyo Zoo
At a zoo in Tokyo, Japan, the summer got extremely hot.
Large cats called lions became very sick because of the heat.
Sadly, three lionesses named Mugi, Ichigo, and Luena died.
Ten out of the zoo's sixteen lions got sick and lost their appetites.
The zookeepers tried to help by spraying water, using fans, and giving medicine.
But the heat was too strong for some of the lions.
The doctors think the lions got heatstroke, which happens when the body gets too hot and stops working properly.
It is the first time in 62 years that heat has killed lions at this zoo.
People are also struggling with the heat — almost 18,600 people went to the hospital in just one week.
Three lionesses at Tama Zoological Park in Tokyo developed suspected heatstroke caused by severe dehydration and multiple organ failure.
Mugi, a 3-year-old lioness, died on July 28, followed by Ichigo, aged 11, three days later, and Luena, aged 15, on the following Sunday.
Ten of the zoo's 16 lions fell ill, with symptoms including loss of appetite and decreased activity, and several remain under veterinary treatment.
These are the first heat-related deaths in the zoo's lion population in its 62-year history, and public viewing of the lions was suspended on July 23.
Japan has been hit by extreme heat, with some regions recording 40°C or higher for five consecutive days, a record streak, and about 18,600 people hospitalized for heatstroke in one week.
- Who
- Three lionesses at Tama Zoological Park — Mugi (3), Ichigo (11) and Luena (15) — plus several other lions still under treatment.
- What
- Three lions died of suspected heatstroke after 10 of the park's 16 lions fell ill during Japan's intense summer heatwave.
- When
- Deaths occurred between July 28 and early August; lions began showing symptoms in mid-July and viewing was suspended on July 23.
- Where
- Tama Zoological Park in Hino, within the greater Tokyo metropolitan area, Japan.
- Why
- Extreme heat combined with high humidity made it hard for the lions to cool down; post-mortem exams showed severe dehydration and multiple organ failure.
- Location
- Tama Zoological Park, Hino, Tokyo, Japan
- Lions affected
- 10 of the zoo's 16 lions fell ill since mid-July
- Fatalities
- Three lionesses: Mugi (3), Ichigo (11) and Luena (15)
- Death dates
- Mugi on July 28, Ichigo three days later, Luena on the following Sunday
- Suspected cause
- Heatstroke; severe dehydration and multiple organ failure observed; exact cause under investigation
- First in facility history
- First heat-related lion deaths in the zoo's 62-year history
- Public viewing
- Lion enclosure closed to visitors from July 23
- Heatwave context
- Temperatures near 39°C locally; some regions hit 40°C+ for five straight days; ~18,600 heatstroke hospitalizations July 20–26
