Probe Underway After Illness Kills 72 Tigers in Thai Tourist Park

Published: 24 February 2026
The English Chronicle Desk
The English Chronicle Online

Thai authorities have launched an investigation after 72 tigers died from a suspected illness at a popular tourist park, raising urgent concerns over animal welfare standards, disease control and oversight within the country’s captive wildlife industry.

Officials confirmed that the deaths occurred over a short period at a privately operated facility in Thailand known for allowing visitors close access to tigers for viewing and photography. Veterinary teams were dispatched to the site after park management reported a sudden wave of illness affecting the animals.

Preliminary findings indicate that the tigers displayed symptoms including respiratory distress, lethargy and loss of appetite before dying. Samples have been collected for laboratory analysis to determine the precise cause of the outbreak. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether the illness is viral, bacterial or linked to environmental factors.

Thailand has long hosted tiger parks that cater to domestic and international tourists. These facilities often house large numbers of captive-bred animals in enclosed compounds. Animal welfare organisations have previously criticised aspects of the industry, arguing that close human interaction and high-density enclosures can increase stress and susceptibility to disease.

The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation has sealed off sections of the affected site while biosecurity assessments are conducted. Movement of animals in and out of the facility has been suspended pending the outcome of the investigation.

Wildlife health experts note that outbreaks among captive big cats can spread rapidly due to shared enclosures, feeding routines and limited genetic diversity. Infectious diseases such as canine distemper virus have historically posed threats to large felines, although officials have not suggested a specific pathogen in this case.

Thailand is home to a significant population of captive tigers, estimated to exceed the number living in the wild within the country. Conservationists argue that while some parks claim to support breeding programmes, concerns remain about oversight, record-keeping and veterinary capacity.

Authorities stated that post-mortem examinations are being conducted to identify organ damage and infection markers. Environmental samples from water sources and food storage areas are also under review to rule out contamination.

The deaths have prompted renewed scrutiny of regulatory enforcement. Although Thai law requires licensing and periodic inspection of wildlife facilities, critics say monitoring standards vary. Officials have pledged transparency as the investigation proceeds and said sanctions could follow if negligence is established.

Tourism operators in the region have expressed concern about reputational impact. Tiger parks attract thousands of visitors annually, forming part of broader wildlife tourism offerings. However, international debate over the ethics of captive animal attractions has intensified in recent years, particularly regarding big cats.

Animal welfare groups have called for independent oversight and stricter biosecurity protocols, including quarantine measures for new animals and routine vaccination programmes where appropriate. They argue that high mortality events can indicate systemic weaknesses in husbandry or health monitoring.

Local authorities have reassured the public that there is no evidence at present of risk to visitors. Health officials are nevertheless assessing whether any zoonotic transmission risk exists, though experts indicate that most feline-specific pathogens pose limited danger to humans.

Thailand is also a signatory to international wildlife trade agreements aimed at protecting endangered species, including tigers. While the deaths occurred within a domestic facility, conservation advocates stress that the loss of such a large number of animals is significant given the species’ endangered status globally.

According to global conservation bodies, wild tiger populations have declined dramatically over the past century due to habitat loss and poaching. Captive populations are sometimes presented as a conservation buffer, but experts caution that captive breeding does not automatically contribute to viable reintroduction programmes.

As laboratory results are awaited, officials continue to monitor the remaining animals at the park for symptoms. Additional veterinary teams have been deployed to neighbouring facilities as a precautionary measure.

The outcome of the probe is expected to shape future regulation of Thailand’s wildlife tourism sector. For now, the focus remains on identifying the cause of the outbreak and preventing further fatalities among the surviving tigers.

Read More At>>