February 23, 2026, 10:35 a.mFebruary 23, 2026, 10:35 a.m
In two private tiger enclosures in northern Thailand, 72 big cats died within a few weeks, apparently as a result of a virus outbreak.
The tigers lived in parks run by the tourist agency Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai province. (symbol image)Image: www.imago-images.de
According to media reports, this is the largest documented mass death in such a facility in Thailand. The tragedy sparked a new debate about tiger theme parks and the conditions at such facilities. Animal rights activists have been criticizing “petting zoos” for years, where visitors can pose with or touch big cats for a fee. “These tigers died the way they lived – in misery, captivity and fear,” said the animal rights organization Peta. “It is time for the Thai government to permanently close these businesses,” demanded Jason Baker, President of Peta Asia.
Was the food responsible?
The tigers lived in parks run by the tourist agency Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai province. A total of 246 animals were kept there. According to authorities, 72 tigers had died by February 18. Some veterinarians have suggested that contaminated food, including raw chicken, may have played a role.
According to the regional administrative authority, the disease has spread in several enclosures since the beginning of February. It is still unclear which virus it was. Initial investigations revealed possible infections with Feline Parvovirus (FPV), a highly contagious disease that is often fatal. However, the authorities are now also talking about the equally deadly canine distemper virus (CDV). The final virological analysis is still ongoing.
The animals spend their lives locked up and chained just to have to pose for photos. (symbol image)Image: EPA/DPA
High density of tigers and inbreeding
The affected facilities were closed and quarantined for 14 days. The enclosures were disinfected and the carcasses burned. At the same time, health authorities are monitoring more than 100 people who had close contact with tigers in the parks between February 8 and 19. So far, no symptoms of the disease have been detected. According to official information, the detected infections cannot be transmitted to humans.
Experts pointed out that such pathogens could spread rapidly in facilities with high animal densities. Media experts quoted experts as saying that inbreeding could also have weakened the predators’ immune systems. “Tiger Kingdom is a for-profit operation that exploits tigers,” emphasized Peta. The animals spend their lives locked up and chained just to have to pose for photos. “Many appear so unnaturally tame that serious questions arise as to whether they were drugged,” said Baker. (sda/dpa)
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