Deadly Virus Kills Dozens of Tigers at Thailand Wildlife Park

At least 72 tigers have died at a private wildlife facility in northern Thailand after an outbreak of canine distemper virus and a respiratory bacterial infection, according to local authorities. The fatalities occurred at Tiger Kingdom, a tourist attraction in Chiang Mai that allows visitors to interact with and photograph captive big cats.

Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development confirmed that laboratory testing identified the highly contagious canine distemper virus, along with bacteria affecting the animals’ respiratory systems. Officials said the outbreak spread rapidly among the captive tiger population, making containment difficult once symptoms became apparent.

Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, director of the national livestock department, told local media that detecting illness in tigers can be more challenging than in domestic animals such as cats or dogs. By the time caretakers recognized visible symptoms, the infections had already advanced, limiting treatment options and contributing to the high mortality rate.

The management of Tiger Kingdom was not immediately available for comment. The park markets close encounters with tigers as a major draw for tourists visiting Chiang Mai, one of Thailand’s most popular travel destinations.

Animal welfare organization PETA Asia criticized the conditions in which the animals were kept, arguing that commercial wildlife attractions contribute to stress, confinement, and health risks for captive predators. The group said that if tourist demand declines, such facilities may become financially unsustainable, potentially reducing the likelihood of similar outbreaks in the future.

The incident has reignited debate over wildlife tourism in Thailand, biosecurity standards at private animal parks, and the broader ethical concerns surrounding captive tiger facilities in Southeast Asia. Authorities are continuing to monitor the site to prevent further spread of infectious disease among remaining animals.