CHIANG MAI, THAILAND – A sudden disease outbreak in two tiger attractions near Chiang Mai killed 72 animals in February, prompting emergency veterinary investigations and strict containment measures.
Mass deaths in two commercial tiger parks
According to the Protected Area Regional Office 16, a total of 72 tigers died between 8 and 19 February at Mae Rim Tiger Kingdom and Mae Taeng Tiger Kingdom. Mae Rim reported 21 deaths, while the facility in Mae Taeng district lost 51 animals over the same period.
Rapid veterinary response and sample analysis
Immediately after the unusual deaths were reported, the Provincial Livestock Office Chiang Mai sent a veterinary investigation team to Mae Rim Tiger Kingdom. Specialists collected samples from carcasses and animal feed and transferred them to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Chiang Mai University for detailed analysis.
Laboratory findings rule out influenza A
Initial laboratory reports to the Department of Livestock Development and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation confirmed that no genetic material of the influenza A virus was detected. Instead, samples tested positive for canine distemper virus (CDV) and Mycoplasma spp., pathogens that can cause severe respiratory disease.
Co-infection blamed, but no human health threat
Experts concluded that simultaneous infection with CDV and Mycoplasma likely led to severe pneumonia and complications, significantly contributing to the high number of deaths. Authorities stressed that CDV is not zoonotic and therefore poses no risk of transmission to humans.
Quarantine transfers and temporary park closure
Tigers that remained in Mae Rim were moved to a care centre in Mae Taeng district for quarantine and intensive care. Mae Rim Tiger Kingdom subsequently announced a 14‑day temporary closure to allow disinfection and further checks.
Strict disease control measures ordered
The Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, ordered extensive disease control measures, including thorough cleaning and disinfection of all enclosures. Sick animals were to be strictly isolated from the remaining tigers, and vaccinations for the surviving stock were to be prepared to reduce the risk of further spread.
Concerns over inbreeding and behaviour in captivity
Investigators pointed to a possible inbreeding problem in captivity, which could weaken immune systems and increase susceptibility to infection. They also noted that the natural behaviour of tigers made early signs of illness difficult to detect, meaning symptoms often became apparent only at an advanced, severe stage.
Timeline of the outbreak
The regional authority documented that on 8 February, 31 tigers at Mae Taeng Tiger Kingdom were first reported apathetic and sick, followed shortly by the first death. In the days that followed, numbers rose sharply, peaking at 25 deaths on 12 February, with further series of fatalities recorded up to 19 February.
Joint crisis meetings and autopsy oversight
From 11 February onwards, wildlife veterinarians from Regional Office 16 oversaw autopsies at both facilities and sent tissue samples to the Veterinary Forensic Laboratory at Chiang Mai University and the Veterinary Research and Development Centre (Upper Northern Region) in Lampang. Several agencies, including representatives of both tiger parks, veterinarians and zoo officials, held crisis meetings on carcass disposal, preparatory disease control and close monitoring of the situation.
Relocations, disinfection and ongoing monitoring
From 14 February, Mae Rim Tiger Kingdom began relocating an initial group of 21, and later another 12, apparently healthy tigers to Mae Taeng for quarantine and behavioural observation, in an effort to reduce infection risks and protect staff and nearby residents. Quarantine areas, storage spaces and all feeding equipment were intensively cleaned and sprayed with disinfectants, while officials maintained close surveillance at both sites.
Public urged to report unusual animal deaths
Authorities heavily treated both parks with disinfectants and continued to monitor the health of the surviving tigers. They appealed to the public to report any unusual illnesses or deaths in animals to local livestock authorities without delay so that countermeasures could be initiated immediately.