Authorities in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, are investigating the deaths of dozens of tigers at the popular Tiger Kingdom tourist park.
In less than two weeks this month, 72 tigers died across two of the park’s facilities, where visitors can touch and interact with the big cats.
The local livestock department said tests on the tigers showed canine distemper virus, although it is not yet clear how the outbreak started. Officials reported that the virus has stopped spreading and no further tigers have died. No humans were infected.
All of the deceased tigers have been buried. Authorities also recommended euthanising those severely sick to prevent suffering. The park houses more than 240 tigers across its two facilities.
Canine distemper virus is highly contagious and attacks the respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems. While it mainly affects dogs, it can also infect big cats. Tests also found a bacteria linked to respiratory disease in the tigers.
Officials said that by the time the tigers showed symptoms, it was already too late to save many. They collected samples from the tigers, the chicken they eat, and their enclosures. Preliminary results also suggested infection with feline parvovirus, and some suspected contaminated raw chicken as a possible cause—a similar factor in a 2004 bird flu outbreak that killed nearly 150 tigers in Chonburi province.
Staff working in the enclosures have not fallen ill, but they are being monitored for 21 days.
Animal rights groups criticized the conditions in the park, saying the deaths show how vulnerable captive wildlife are to disease. PETA Asia said tragedies like this are less likely if tourists avoid such attractions.
Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai has been temporarily closed for two weeks while authorities carry out disinfection.
Officials Work Urgently To Find The Cause Of This Shocking Outbreak
