A private animal park in northern Thailand has reported the deaths of 72 tigers due to a lethal virus and bacterial infection over the past few weeks, according to authorities.
The Chiang Mai provincial livestock office revealed in a statement that testing identified the presence of the highly contagious canine distemper virus along with bacteria impacting the tigers’ respiratory systems.
Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, the director of the national livestock department, explained to local media that detecting illnesses in tigers is more challenging than in common pets like cats or dogs. By the time the sickness was recognized, it was already too late to save the tigers.
The park where the tragic deaths occurred, Tiger Kingdom, did not respond to requests for comment on the matter.
Tiger Kingdom’s website promotes opportunities for visitors to interact closely with the large felines, allowing them to touch and photograph the animals.
In response to the situation, PETA Asia expressed deep concern, stating, “These tigers suffered in the same conditions they lived in – misery, confinement, and fear.” The animal rights organization emphasized that if tourists avoided such establishments, the financial viability would diminish, reducing the likelihood of future tragedies like this one.
