72 Tigers Die in Thailand Outbreak

A significant outbreak of a contagious virus has led to the deaths of 72 captive tigers in the Chiang Mai region of northern Thailand. The affected animals began showing signs of illness on February 8th, impacting the Mae Rim and Mae Taeng districts.

Veterinarians suspect canine distemper virus as the primary cause, with a secondary infection of mycoplasma bacteria. This outbreak is considered highly unusual, prompting urgent disinfection of enclosures and the preparation of vaccinations for the surviving tigers.

Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai, a popular tourist attraction allowing close interaction with tigers, has been temporarily closed since the deaths were recorded. This incident recalls past disease outbreaks in captive tiger populations, such as the 2004 Sriracha tiger zoo event where 147 tigers died or were euthanized due to bird flu.