At least 72 tigers have died at a private animal park in northern Thailand due to a deadly virus and bacterial infection. Provincial livestock authorities confirmed that testing revealed the highly infectious canine distemper virus, alongside bacteria affecting the respiratory system.
Officials noted that detecting illness in tigers is challenging, often leading to late intervention. The park, Tiger Kingdom, where the animals were housed, could not be reached for comment. The facility's website previously advertised opportunities for visitors to interact with the big cats.
Animal rights groups have criticized the conditions, stating the tigers lived in "misery, confinement and fear." They argue that reduced tourist engagement would diminish the profitability of such establishments and decrease the likelihood of similar tragedies.