An unusual viral outbreak has claimed the lives of 72 tigers held in captivity in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, sparking urgent efforts to contain the disease. Veterinary teams are disinfecting enclosed areas and preparing to vaccinate surviving tigers.
The exact cause of the deaths is not fully clear. The Regional Livestock Office 5 reported that the tigers were infected with canine distemper virus, with secondary infections from mycoplasma bacteria. Additionally, Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, Director General of the Department of Livestock Development, stated that the tigers were affected by feline panleukopenia, a highly contagious disease deadly to wild cats.
The outbreak has impacted two districts of Chiang Mai: Mae Rim and Mae Taeng, with dozens of tigers showing symptoms from February 8. Tiger Kingdom, a popular tourist attraction where visitors can interact and take photos with tigers, has been temporarily closed.
Kritsayarm Kongsatri, Director of the Chiang Mai Wildlife Conservation Office, described the number of deaths as “very unusual.” Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, as previous outbreaks in the region and neighboring countries have shown that disease outbreaks among captive tigers can be catastrophic.
This shocking event raises serious concerns about wildlife protection in captivity and highlights the importance of continuous health monitoring to prevent future epidemics.
