Probe Underway After 72 Tigers Die from Virus at Thai Tourist Park, Officials Rule Out Bird Flu

CHIANG MAI, Thailand — Thai authorities have launched an investigation into the deaths of 72 tigers at a popular tourist attraction in northern Thailand, with laboratory tests confirming the animals died from a combination of canine distemper virus and bacterial infection while ruling out earlier fears of avian influenza .

The tigers, all Bengal tigers housed at two facilities of Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai, died over a 12-day period between February 8 and 19, 2026, devastating the park’s population of approximately 240 big cats . The deaths occurred at the park’s Mae Rim and Mae Taeng branches, located about 30 kilometers apart in Chiang Mai province .

Officials from Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development and Public Health Ministry held a news conference in Bangkok on February 24 to present their findings and reassure the public that the outbreak poses no risk to human health . The remains of the tigers have been cremated and buried following necropsies and disinfection procedures .

Cause of Death: Canine Distemper and Bacterial Infection

Laboratory analysis conducted by the Chiang Mai regional livestock office and Chiang Mai University detected genetic material of canine distemper virus in the tigers’ organs, along with traces of Mycoplasma bacteria infection . No evidence of avian influenza type A virus was found, ruling out bird flu as a potential cause .

Canine distemper virus is a highly contagious disease that attacks the host’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems. While typically found in dogs, it can also infect big cats—often with fatal consequences . The virus can be spread through bodily fluids and airborne transmission .

Thai officials explained that tigers in confined environments, already affected by stress and potential inbreeding conditions, are particularly vulnerable to such viral infections . Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, director-general of the Livestock Development Department, told reporters that by the time caretakers realized the tigers were sick, “it was already too late,” noting that detecting illness in tigers is significantly harder than in domestic cats or dogs .

Chinese state media, citing Thailand’s agriculture ministry, reported that PCR laboratory tests confirmed the presence of Mycoplasma bacteria in the tigers’ lungs and canine distemper virus throughout their organs . High-density captive conditions and environmental stressors weakened the tigers’ resistance, accelerating virus transmission .

Timeline and Scale of Deaths

The outbreak unfolded rapidly across the two facilities. According to official figures, 21 tigers died at the Mae Rim园区 and 51 at the Mae Taeng园区 between February 8 and 18 . The surviving tigers—approximately 44 at Mae Rim and 130 at Mae Taeng—have been placed under quarantine and medical supervision .

Authorities confirmed on February 24 that the virus is no longer spreading and no additional tigers have died in recent days . Officials recommended that gravely ill tigers be euthanized to prevent further suffering, though the exact number euthanized has not been disclosed .

The Department of Livestock Development has ordered comprehensive disinfection of all enclosures, isolation of remaining infected animals, and the development of vaccination programs for the surviving tiger population . Samples have been collected from the tigers’ bodies, the chicken meat they are fed, and their surrounding environment as part of the ongoing investigation .

No Risk to Humans, Staff Monitored

Both the Livestock Development Department and Public Health Ministry have emphasized that the diseases involved are not zoonotic and cannot be transmitted from animals to humans . Canine distemper virus and Mycoplasma bacteria affect animals exclusively and pose no public health threat .

Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, all veterinarians and staff who worked in the tiger enclosures have been placed under medical observation for 21 days . No staff members have shown any symptoms of illness .

Public Health Minister Pattana Promphat told reporters at the Government House news conference that “there has not been an animal-to-human infection case.” Monthien Khanasawat, director-general of the Disease Control Department, added that if any sick persons were detected, authorities would implement nationwide monitoring measures including contact tracing and treatment .

The reassurance was deemed necessary amid broader regional concerns about bird flu, which has been resurgent in parts of Asia. Thailand experienced 17 deaths among 25 infected patients from poultry-caused influenza between 2004 and 2007, and officials were keen to prevent public panic that could affect poultry consumption and tourism .

Expert Concerns and Unanswered Questions

Despite official conclusions, some veterinary experts have raised questions about the origins of the outbreak. Visit Arsaithamkul, a veterinarian who participated in the tiger necropsies, expressed concern in a Facebook post that the source of infection remains unclear without further investigation .

Arsaithamkul noted that since the two parks are located just 30 kilometers apart, the cause of infection could be food supplied from the same source—possibly contaminated raw chicken meat fed to the tigers . He declined to elaborate further when contacted by The Associated Press .

Initial suspicions had focused on raw chicken as a potential vector, echoing a major bird flu outbreak at a tiger zoo in Chonburi province in 2004, when nearly 150 tigers died or were euthanized to prevent further spread of influenza . Preliminary tests had also shown the presence of feline parvovirus in some samples, adding to the initial confusion .

Authorities have stated that investigations into the precise transmission route are continuing, with samples still being analyzed .

Animal Rights Groups Highlight Captive Conditions

The mass deaths have drawn sharp criticism from animal welfare organizations, which argue that the tragedy underscores the inherent risks and ethical problems of keeping wild animals in captivity for entertainment .

Wildlife Friends Foundation Thailand issued a statement saying the tigers’ deaths expose the “extreme vulnerability of captive wildlife facilities to infectious disease.” The organization pointed to high-density confinement, stress, and limited genetic diversity as factors that make captive big cats particularly susceptible to outbreaks .

Peta Asia told AFP that “tragedies like this would be far less likely to happen” if tourists “stayed away” from such attractions . The group has long campaigned against facilities that allow direct contact between visitors and big cats .

Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai, which operates facilities where visitors can touch and interact with tigers, has been temporarily closed for 14 days to allow for thorough disinfection work . Park operators have not responded publicly to requests for comment .

Broader Implications for Captive Wildlife

The incident has reignited debate in Thailand about the regulation of wildlife tourism venues. The country hosts numerous facilities offering interactions with tigers and other exotic animals, many of which have faced criticism over animal welfare standards .

Thai authorities have emphasized that they are maintaining vigilance against potential disease threats, including bird flu, which remains a concern in the region. Monthien urged Thais to exercise caution with poultry consumption following reports of a bird flu infection in a neighboring country .

For now, the surviving tigers at Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai remain under quarantine, their enclosures being disinfected and their health closely monitored. The investigation into how canine distemper virus—typically found in dogs—entered the tiger population and spread so rapidly continues, as officials work to prevent a recurrence of what has become one of Thailand’s most devastating wildlife disease outbreaks in recent memory .

with inputs from
BBC: Probe after 72 tigers die Thai park
ABC News: 72 tiger deaths not bird flu
AP/Canadian Press: Canine distemper confirmed

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