Chiang Mai, Thailand – At least 72 tigers have died at Tiger Kingdom, a privately owned zoo and tourist attraction in Chiang Mai, Thailand, due to a highly contagious and fatal viral illness. The deaths occurred between February 8th and February 18th across two of the park’s facilities, according to reports from local media.
Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, the director of Tiger Kingdom, stated that detecting the illness in tigers proved challenging. “When tigers get sick, it’s more difficult to detect than in animals like cats or dogs. By the time we realized they were affected, it was too late,” he told a local news outlet.
Thai Deputy Agriculture Minister Amint Mayusoh confirmed to Thai PBS that testing by the Department of Livestock Development identified the cause of death as canine distemper and Mycoplasma, a dual infection leading to fatal pneumonia. Canine distemper, also known as distemper, is a viral disease affecting the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems, typically found in unvaccinated dogs and puppies, but capable of infecting large felines.
Authorities indicated that the spread of the virus has been contained, and no staff members at Tiger Kingdom were affected. Medical tests conducted on personnel showed no evidence of infection or symptoms related to contact with the animals. However, the Public Health Ministry announced that staff will continue to be monitored for at least 21 days “for safety reasons and in accordance with the incubation periods of certain diseases,” according to a ministry statement.
The 72 tiger carcasses have been incinerated or buried under supervision to prevent the theft of skins and teeth, officials said. The deceased tigers were among more than 240 tigers housed at the two Tiger Kingdom locations.
Veterinarian Visit Arsaithamkul, who participated in the tiger necropsies, expressed concern about the origin of the infections, stating that further investigation is needed. In a Facebook post, Arsaithamkul suggested that, given the proximity of the two parks – just 30 kilometers apart – the source of the infection may have been the tigers’ food supply.
The Department of Livestock Development has ordered a temporary closure of the Tiger Kingdom facilities, including its location on the tourist island of Phuket, although monitoring continues for over 100 remaining tigers, some of whom are exhibiting mild to severe symptoms.
The Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand released a statement asserting that the tiger deaths exposed the “extreme vulnerability of captive wildlife facilities to infectious diseases.”
The animal welfare organization PETA questioned Tiger Kingdom’s business model, stating, “These tigers died as they lived: in misery, captivity, and fear. It’s time for the Thai government to shut down these operations once and for all,” the organization posted on Facebook.
Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai offers visitors the opportunity to interact closely with tigers, including taking photographs and playing with cubs and adult animals, as described on the attraction’s website. The park also operates as a restaurant.
