Post by : Shakul

Authorities in Chiang Mai, Thailand, have launched an investigation after 72 tigers died from illness at a well-known tourist attraction this month.

The deaths occurred within less than two weeks at two facilities of Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai, where visitors are allowed to touch and interact with captive tigers. The park housed more than 240 tigers in total, according to local reports.

Thailand’s National Livestock Department said tests on tiger samples detected canine distemper virus, a highly contagious disease that affects the respiratory, digestive, and nervous systems. The virus is commonly found in dogs but can be fatal to big cats.

Officials said the tigers’ remains have been cremated and buried, and investigations are ongoing to determine how the outbreak started. Detecting illness in tigers is difficult, officials noted, as symptoms often appear only when the disease is advanced.

Earlier tests had suggested feline parvovirus, and authorities initially considered whether contaminated raw chicken meat fed to the animals could have contributed to the outbreak. A similar feeding-related outbreak in 2004 caused the deaths of nearly 150 tigers at a zoo in Chonburi province.

The Disease Control Department confirmed that no veterinarians or staff have fallen ill, but workers who had contact with the tigers are being monitored for 21 days as a precaution.

Animal rights groups say the incident highlights serious concerns about the health risks faced by captive wildlife used for tourism. The Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand said the deaths showed how vulnerable captive animals are to infectious diseases.

PETA Asia urged tourists to avoid wildlife attractions, warning that such facilities increase the risk of disease and suffering for animals.

Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai has been temporarily closed for two weeks while officials carry out disinfection and safety measures.

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