Contamination of raw chicken meat suspected but authorities stress more tests needed
PUBLISHED : 20 Feb 2026 at 19:18
A tiger looks on while it is chained to be photographed by tourists in Chang Siam Park in Pattaya in February 2020. The operators of the Tiger Kingdom attractions in Thailand say they do not chain their animals, which have been bred in captivity and are comfortable around humans. (AFP file photo)
CHIANG MAI – Livestock officials have moved to quarantine and disinfect the Tiger Kingdom tourist attraction in Mae Rim district after more than 70 tigers died mysteriously this month, prompting a two‑week closure and a sweeping investigation into the cause.
The privately run Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai has barred all non‑authorised entry and begun facility‑wide disinfection while laboratory tests are conducted on the tiger carcasses sent to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Chiang Mai University, according to provincial livestock officials. Results are pending.
Sources said the deaths started on Feb 8, and an initial assumption centres on raw chicken meat supplied by a well‑known private farm and used as feed. Authorities stressed, however, the exact cause has not been confirmed.
Surviving tigers have been moved to Tiger Kingdom’s care centre in Mae Taeng district for monitoring while testing continues.
Kritsayarm Kongsatri, director of the Protected Areas Regional Office 16 (Chiang Mai), said he had received reports of a large number of tiger deaths — around 70 — at the popular tiger park.
“The loss of so many tigers over a short period is very unusual,” Mr Kritsayarm said.
The Chiang Mai Provincial Livestock Office is overseeing the formal investigation, he said, while the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation would dispatch a team to observe and support.
Separately, rumours have circulated that a veterinarian involved in necropsies fell ill shortly afterwards and was placed in isolation as a precaution amid concern about possible avian influenza.
Officials have not confirmed any link, and are awaiting laboratory findings on the tiger deaths.
Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai, one of Mae Rim’s major attractions, announced it would close for 14 days to allow thorough disinfection and restrict access during the investigation.
The park has not commented publicly on the suspected feed link, pending test results.
Tiger Kingdom in Chiang Mai is operated by Khum Sue Trakarn Co Ltd, which also manages Tiger Kingdom Phuket and three Tiger Park attractions — two in Phuket and one in Pattaya.
The company was established with a focus on the breeding and conservation of Indochinese tigers, often partnering with local zoos for animal exchange.