THAI authorities are working around the clock to contain the spread of a mysterious outbreak that has killed 72 captive tigers at two major tourist destinations since the beginning of this month.
The Office of Protected Area 16 (Chiang Mai) in a statement confirmed the deaths between February 8 and 19, involving 21 tigers at Tiger Kingdom Mae Rim and another 51 at a facility in Mae Taeng, reported Nation Thailand.
Agency reports said that following the incident, Tiger Kingdom Mae Rim was ordered to close for 14 days to allow for a thorough sanitation and disinfection process.
Initial investigations by the Department of Livestock Development, together with the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Chiang Mai University, found that the animals tested positive for Canine Distemper virus (CDV) as well as Mycoplasma spp bacteria infection, which causes chronic pneumonia.
Thailand's Livestock Development Department Director-General Somchuan Ratanamungklanon said laboratory tests ruled out a possible link to bird flu after no influenza A genetic material was detected.
"Immediate control measures have been implemented, including intensive cleaning, isolation of symptomatic tigers and vaccination of healthy tigers.
"The surviving tigers are now quarantined at the Mae Taeng care centre for close monitoring," he said.
He also assured the public that the CDV virus does not infect humans.
Veterinarians believe that the animal's health complications are likely to be exacerbated by inbreeding factors that weaken the natural immune system of captive tigers.
In addition to the virus infection, authorities are also investigating the possibility of food contamination following allegations of the use of raw chicken from an outside supplier, but full laboratory results are not out yet.
The process of spraying disinfectant is now underway at both locations, which are also completely closed to the public while laboratory tests continue.
The incident has sparked concern in the international conservation community as Tiger Kingdom is a popular destination that allows close interaction between tourists and tigers.
The incident also brings to mind the tragedy of 2004, when 147 tigers died or had to be euthanised due to bird flu at Sriracha Tiger Zoo and the death of a tiger in Vietnam in 2024 following another viral attack.
Thai authorities are expected to announce further developments once full laboratory results are available, while monitoring the health of the surviving tigers continues to prevent additional deaths or the risk of re-infection. – February 21, 2026
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