Thai authorities are investigating the deaths of 72 tigers at two tiger parks in Chiang Mai after the animals died unusually between February 8 and February 19, 2026. The fatalities occurred at Mae Rim Tiger Kingdom and a second facility in Mae Taeng district, prompting a temporary 14-day closure at the Mae Rim site. Laboratory tests have detected canine distemper virus (CDV) and Mycoplasma spp., while influenza A virus has been ruled out.

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According to Protected Area Regional Office 16 (Chiang Mai), 21 tigers died at Mae Rim and 51 at Mae Taeng during the 12-day period. The first alert came on February 8, when 31 tigers at Mae Taeng were reported lethargic and ill. By February 9, one tiger had died at Mae Taeng, with further deaths reported at both parks over the following days.

Post-mortem examinations were overseen by wildlife veterinarians from Regional Office 16, with tissue samples sent to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Chiang Mai University and the Veterinary Research and Development Centre (Upper Northern Region) in Lampang under the Department of Livestock Development. On February 12 alone, 25 tigers died across both facilities, followed by 20 more on February 13. Deaths continued daily until February 18, with monitoring ongoing on February 19.

Tests confirmed no genetic material of influenza A virus was found. However, samples tested positive for CDV, a virus affecting canids and large wild cats and Mycoplasma spp., bacteria linked to respiratory disease. Authorities believe co-infection may have led to severe pneumonia and complications, contributing to the high mortality rate and stressed that CDV is not a zoonotic disease.

Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, ordered strict disease-control measures, including cleaning and disinfecting enclosures, isolating sick animals and preparing vaccinations for the remaining tigers. Healthy tigers were relocated to a nursing centre in Mae Taeng for quarantine, with 21 moved on February 14 and a further 12 on February 15. Officials also cited potential inbreeding in captive settings and the difficulty of detecting early symptoms as possible contributing factors.

The Nation reported that Multi-agency meetings were held on February 13 and 14 to coordinate carcass disposal and disease-control planning, involving zoo representatives, district livestock officials and wildlife conservation authorities. Disinfectant has been sprayed across affected sites, and remaining animals are under close observation. The public has been urged to report any unusual animal illness or deaths to local livestock authorities without delay.

Picture courtesy of The Nation

Key Takeaways

• Seventy-two tigers died at Mae Rim and Mae Taeng tiger parks between February 8 and 19, 2026.

• Tests confirmed canine distemper virus and Mycoplasma spp., while influenza A was ruled out.

• Authorities have imposed quarantine, disinfection and vaccination measures, with Mae Rim closed for 14 days.

Original story

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Nation 22 Feb 2026

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This Chiang Mai incident must surely raise questions about the management of Thailand’s captive tiger industry. Seventy‑two tigers dying in a matter of days is bad enough, but unfortunately it’s not unprecedented, and that’s exactly the problem.

Back in 2016, authorities seized 147 tigers from the infamous Tiger Temple. By 2019, 86 of those animals were dead, with Thailand’s own Department of National Parks confirming causes such as canine distemper, respiratory disease, and inbreeding‑related illnesses. Wildlife groups warned at the time that the rescue had been poorly planned and that overcrowding and weak disease control would lead to disaster.

Now, the same issues are happening again. Preliminary tests this time point to feline parvovirus, canine distemper, and bacterial co‑infections which are all diseases that spread rapidly in high‑density captive populations.

These are not mysterious or unavoidable pathogens. They are well‑known, well‑studied, and are preventable with proper vaccination, quarantine, and biosecurity.

When dozens of tigers die in a short window, it tells you that the systems meant to protect them weren’t anywhere near strong enough.

Captive tigers kept for tourism face chronic stress, constant human contact, and limited space which are all factors that weaken immunity and accelerate disease spread. Added to these are the long‑standing concerns about inbreeding and overcrowding.

None of this is new information, and it wasn't unforeseeable. And that’s why this tragedy is so frustrating. It didn’t have to happen.

There is one proven line of defence against these viral outbreaks, and that is rigorous, universal, properly documented vaccination programmes with boosters, quarantine for new arrivals, and strict separation of sick animals. This is standard practice in accredited zoos worldwide. It’s not optional, ilt’s basic preventive medicine.

Until Thailand’s captive tiger facilities and especially the authorities overseeing them treat vaccination and disease control as essential infrastructure rather than an afterthought, it's likely this will happen again!

This has been a systemic failure that has repeated itself on a massive scale. If the Tiger Temple deaths before weren’t enough of a warning, then surely the loss of 72 more tigers now must be.

Every tiger facility should be closed immediately and outlawed, even the "real" zoo's should be very carefully vetted and conditions improved and should only be in operation for breeding and rehabilitation.

7 hours ago, Artisi said:

Every tiger facility should be closed immediately and outlawed, even the "real" zoo's should be very carefully vetted and conditions improved and should only be in operation for breeding and rehabilitation.

The Bangkok Zoo was closed a few years ago and the animals dispersed pending the opening of a new zoo which has still not happened.

How are the animals doing?

2 minutes ago, greeneking said:

The Bangkok Zoo was closed a few years ago and the animals dispersed pending the opening of a new zoo which has still not happened.

How are the animals doing?

Most people found them to be aroi.

the owners of the Chiang Mai operation own about 400 tigers around the country – it's just a matter of time before the dead ones are replaced.

It seems at least 72 captive tigers died following a canine distemper outbreak at two tourist tiger facilities in Chiang Mai. (Or was it parvovirus??) - The virus, commonly carried by dogs and easily preventable through cheap annual vaccination, reportedly spread rapidly through the confined population. The owner operates six tiger venues housing nearly 400 animals in total.

Canine distemper vaccines cost only a few hundred baht, yet these facilities charge around 1,000 THB per tourist interaction. If such income is generated daily from each animal, why were basic preventative measures not in place? And why were hundreds of endangered big cats concentrated in conditions where disease could spread so catastrophically?

This incident highlights the inherent risks of intensive captive breeding operations linked to tourism. Thailand holds around 1,500 captive tigers across roughly 60 facilities. Large captive populations not only raise welfare concerns but also create opportunities for illegal wildlife trade, something international agreements such as CITES have repeatedly warned about.

Seventy-two dead tigers is not “bad luck". It is the predictable outcome of commercial wildlife exploitation.

Wild animals do not belong in entertainment venues.

 

"...and stressed that CDV is not a zoonotic disease."

Oh well that's OK then....!

13 minutes ago, kwilco said:

why were basic preventative measures not in place?

You really need to ask this question ?

1 hour ago, blaze master said:

You really need to ask this question ?

Yes – can you answer it? I suspect you are trying to cover your ignorance with cynicism

8 minutes ago, kwilco said:

Yes – can you answer it? I suspect you are trying to cover your ignorance with cynicism

Not for you I won't. Remember you're the guy who knows all about thailand.

Bye.

1 minute ago, blaze master said:

Not for you I won't. Remember you're the guy who knows all about thailand.

Bye.

QED! Completely without an answer – let's face it ... it's not hard to know more about Thailand compared someone like yourself. It must be very daunting for you.

If you are taking part in a discussion, it is important to add something to it – your comment is just a cynical attempt to suggest you know more than you actually do – a sad attempt to look like you have kept up with a topic in which you are, in truth, completely out of your depth.

There is no such thing as "humane tiger camps" or "humane elephant camps" These animals need to be isolated in a near as natural environment as possible without tourists. That isolation should provide a barrier from the likes of freaking canine distemper. What a stupid, avoidable thing from big cats to be dying from. I hate to think there was some reason that they were put-down. This sucks.

11 hours ago, connda said:

There is no such thing as "humane tiger camps" or "humane elephant camps" These animals need to be isolated in a near as natural environment as possible without tourists. That isolation should provide a barrier from the likes of freaking canine distemper. What a stupid, avoidable thing from big cats to be dying from. I hate to think there was some reason that they were put-down. This sucks.

Tigers need to be shown to the public, somehow, and as humanely as possible. People need to see these magnificent animals close up so that they may help to save them in the wild. They are still on the brink of extinction in the wild, so public awareness is very important.

4 minutes ago, JensenZ said:

Tigers need to be shown to the public, somehow, and as humanely as possible. People need to see these magnificent animals close up so that they may help to save them in the wild. They are still on the brink of extinction in the wild, so public awareness is very important.

There is nothing humane about captive animals.

I remember a famous project to raise elephants in captivity then put them into the wild. Most were eaten within a short time because they didn't know how to defend themselves in the wild.

Maybe tigers don't grow their natural disease defences in captivity?

They should shut all these facilities and free the tiger put them back in the wild you know when they Tourist come and they take pictures of the tiger and the tiger is drugged out of its mind they don’t give them vaccines they don’t take proper care they really should just shut them down completely TIT

4 hours ago, Purdey said:

I remember a famous project to raise elephants in captivity then put them into the wild. Most were eaten within a short time because they didn't know how to defend themselves in the wild.

Maybe tigers don't grow their natural disease defences in captivity?

"Eaten"????

Almost everything you say in this post in wrong.

2 hours ago, TheFishman1 said:

They should shut all these facilities and free the tiger put them back in the wild you know when they Tourist come and they take pictures of the tiger and the tiger is drugged out of its mind they don’t give them vaccines they don’t take proper care they really should just shut them down completely TIT

You can't put tigers back in the wild and most of the tigers are inbred in captivity.

3 hours ago, TheFishman1 said:

They should shut all these facilities and free the tiger put them back in the wild you know when they Tourist come and they take pictures of the tiger and the tiger is drugged out of its mind they don’t give them vaccines they don’t take proper care they really should just shut them down completely TIT

The tigers weren't drugged.

Tigers sleep in the day, and were probably well fed (so sleepy).

I went and had my photos taken with them when I was a tourist.

4 hours ago, JensenZ said:

Tigers need to be shown to the public, somehow, and as humanely as possible. People need to see these magnificent animals close up so that they may help to save them in the wild. They are still on the brink of extinction in the wild, so public awareness is very important.

What nonsense ..... what do you actually think the public are looking at and how do you think it helps them in the wild?

In reality as you demonstrate the effect is exactly the opposite.

36 minutes ago, kwilco said:

What nonsense ..... what do you actually think the public are looking at and how do you think it helps them in the wild?

In reality as you demonstrate the effect is exactly the opposite.

(You could learn some etiquette on how to reply on a forum. You could try something like "I disagree")

It makes a big difference, seeing these animals up close vs watching them on YouTube. You can't gain full appreciation for any creature by watching them on a small screen or seeing them in photos. If people gain an appreciation for these animals, they're more likely to support projects to save them in the wild. Most people in the world haven't seen live tigers, and unless they can see them in a park or zoo, they never will.

54 minutes ago, JensenZ said:

(You could learn some etiquette on how to reply on a forum. You could try something like "I disagree")

It makes a big difference, seeing these animals up close vs watching them on YouTube. You can't gain full appreciation for any creature by watching them on a small screen or seeing them in photos. If people gain an appreciation for these animals, they're more likely to support projects to save them in the wild. Most people in the world haven't seen live tigers, and unless they can see them in a park or zoo, they never will.

Abdolute tripe! These a imals are u bred subspecies hybrid and gullible people like you are duped into thinking they serve some purpose.

You keep reiterating that people "have to see tigers" in tge flesh but nothing to support the idea....you are just making comments based on nothing but your own assumptions.

This is the kind of ignorance that perpetuates animal abuse.

UPDATE

Mystery Behind Chiang Mai Tiger Deaths Investigated

https://aseannow.com/topic/1388122-mystery-behind-chiang-mai-tiger-deaths-investigated/

23 hours ago, simon43 said:

"...and stressed that CDV is not a zoonotic disease."

Oh well that's OK then....!

It's not zoonotic but can be carried from one animal to another on humans. People can transfer the viruses from an infected animal to a susceptible one on hands, clothing, or shoes. While these viruses do not infect humans, they can survive in the environment and be spread through contact with contaminated items

Off topic conspiracy post about Covid vaccines removed.

Might as well just stuff the dead uns and stick them back in their enclosures.They might even move a bit more than before in a strong wind.