72 tigers die in Chiang Mai virus outbreak

At least 72 tigers have died in a virus outbreak at two privately operated animal parks in Thailand’s northern province of Chiang Mai, as Bangkok Post reported.

As per the Independent, Thai authorities have launched an investigation into the said virus attack at those popular tourist parks that allow visitors to interact with the big cats. Thailand’s Deputy Agriculture and Cooperatives Minister Amin Mayusoh said laboratory tests conducted on tiger carcasses from parks in Mae Rim and Mae Taeng ruled out avian influenza (bird flu). Tests on chicken carcasses fed to the tigers were also negative for bird flu, according to the Bangkok Post.

The 72 tigers reportedly died between 9 and 18 February. Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, director-general of Thailand’s Department of Livestock Development, said laboratory results showed the animals had been infected with canine distemper, a viral disease detected in their organs. He stated that earlier speculation about bird flu had been dismissed following testing. Canine distemper, typically found in dogs, can also infect big cats.