INTENSE HEAT IN JAPAN: ‘This is the first time we've experienced anything like this’

PUNISHING summer temperatures continues to grip Japan with three female lions at a Tokyo zoo dying due to suspected heat-related illness.

The three lions died within a week at the Tama Zoological Park in western Tokyo.

Based on the result of the autopsy, the lions, aged three to 15, died from dehydration and multiple organ failure - suggesting heat was the cause.

"This is the first time we've experienced anything like this. Last year was also hot, but none of our lions fell ill like this," Miwa, Kosaka, a zoo representative said in a BBC report.

Japan's summers are getting hotter and more dangerous.

Some cities see several "cruelly hot days" - a term used for days when temperatures rise above 40C.

According to Tama Zoo, Mugi, a three-year-old female lion, had a loss of appetite on 19 July and was unable to stand up the next day.

Zoo staff tried to save the lion by providing ventilation and water to cool her down.

Subcutaneous fluids, liver tonics and vitamins were amdinistered she ultimately died on 28 July.

Ichigo, an 11-year-old female lion, died days later on 31 July. Luena, a 15-year-old female lion, died on Sunday.

There are three lions - two males and one female - that are "still unwell and unable to stand", the zoo said in a statement.

"Some of the lions are showing signs of improvement," Kosaka told the BBC.(MyTVCebu)

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