Probe underway after 72 captive tigers die at Chiang Mai facilities
Thai livestock officials are investigating unusual deaths of 72 captive tigers in Chiang Mai after tests detected canine distemper virus and Mycoplasma bacteria. Two facilities have been disinfected, surviving animals quarantined, and vaccinations prepared.
- Seventy-two captive tigers died across two Chiang Mai facilities between 8 and 19 February 2026, prompting an official probe.
- Tests detected canine distemper virus and Mycoplasma spp., with co-infection believed to have driven severe pneumonia and deaths.
- Surviving tigers have been moved for quarantine, sites disinfected, and vaccinations prepared; officials said CDV is not zoonotic.
Thai authorities are investigating the unusual deaths of 72 captive tigers at two facilities in Chiang Mai, after laboratory testing detected canine distemper virus (CDV) and Mycoplasma spp., officials said.
The Department of Livestock Development said it is expediting post-mortem examinations and tightening disease-control measures following reports that tigers at a Mae Rim facility and another site in Mae Taeng district began dying in early February 2026.
According to Protected Area Regional Office 16 (Chiang Mai), the deaths occurred between 8 February 2026 and 19 February 2026, totalling 21 tigers at the Mae Rim site and 51 at the Mae Taeng site.
A veterinary disease investigation team from the Chiang Mai Provincial Livestock Office inspected the Mae Rim facility, collected samples from tiger carcasses and feed, and sent them to the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Chiang Mai University for analysis, the report said.
Authorities said surviving tigers were relocated for quarantine and care at a nursing centre in Mae Taeng district, as officials worked to limit further spread.
Initial laboratory results reported to the Department of Livestock Development and the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation found no genetic material of influenza A virus in the samples, officials said.
However, tests detected CDV, which causes canine distemper in canids and can also infect large wild cats, alongside Mycoplasma spp., bacteria associated with respiratory disease.
Officials said the co-infection can lead to severe pneumonia and complications, and is believed to have contributed to the high number of deaths over a short period.
Authorities stressed that CDV is not considered a zoonotic disease, and said the public does not need to worry about transmission to humans from the outbreak.
Somchuan Ratanamungklanon, Director-General of the Department of Livestock Development, said he ordered strict disease-control measures, including thorough cleaning and disinfection of enclosures, isolation of sick animals, and preparations to vaccinate remaining tigers.
Investigators also flagged factors that can complicate captive carnivore health management, including the possibility of inbreeding weakening immunity, and the difficulty of detecting early symptoms in tigers before illness becomes advanced.
The Mae Rim site announced a temporary 14-day closure, with Thai media reporting signage restricting access while cleaning and disinfection are carried out.
Protected Area Regional Office 16’s timeline indicated the outbreak escalated quickly after the first alert on 8 February 2026, when authorities were informed that 31 tigers at the Mae Taeng facility appeared lethargic and had begun falling ill.
On 9 February 2026, the Mae Taeng facility reported one tiger death via the forest protection hotline 1362, and a post-mortem was scheduled for 11 February 2026, according to the regional office report.
On 10 February 2026, the Mae Rim facility reported three tiger deaths with similar symptoms, followed by additional deaths at Mae Taeng on 11 February 2026, when tissue samples were collected for testing.
The sharpest daily increases were reported on 12 February 2026 and 13 February 2026, when the two facilities recorded a combined 25 deaths and 20 deaths respectively, prompting multi-agency meetings and tighter zoo-management instructions.
From 14 February 2026, relocation of healthy tigers from Mae Rim to Mae Taeng was reported as part of quarantine and disease-control efforts, alongside cleaning and disinfection of quarantine pens and feeding equipment.
Regional officials said disinfection has been carried out across both sites and remaining animals are being closely monitored, while the public has been urged to report unusual animal illness or deaths to livestock authorities promptly.
Separately, international coverage of the incident has described officials “racing to contain” the outbreak and noted the challenges of timely treatment in tigers compared with domestic animals, as investigations continue.
