A disease outbreak has resulted in the deaths of 72 tigers at a wildlife facility in Thailand, according to recent reports.
The incident occurred at Tiger World, a licensed facility in Damnoen Saduak, Ratchaburi province, approximately a 1.5-hour drive from Bangkok. The park distinguishes itself from traditional zoos by not selling its tigers and prioritizing animal welfare. Tiger World offers visitors opportunities for close encounters with the animals, including bottle-feeding young tigers and supervised interactions.
The outbreak highlights the vulnerability of captive animal populations to disease and the challenges of maintaining biosecurity in wildlife parks. The situation is particularly sensitive given concerns about illegal wildlife trade and the welfare of tigers in Thailand.
Tiger World emphasizes its commitment to the well-being of its tigers, contrasting its practices with other facilities in Thailand that have been linked to dubious activities involving illegal tiger parts. The park also warns visitors to be cautious of scams at the nearby Damnoen Saduak Floating Market and to ensure they are visiting the correct location, as another site in the area offers tourist photos with tethered tigers. Reviews of Tiger World Thailand indicate that the tigers are not drugged or chained, and are kept in open enclosures.
Visitors can book transportation and tours of the floating market through Tiger World. Those who choose alternative transportation are advised to inform their drivers that they have a pre-booked ticket with the company.
Another tiger park, Tiger Kingdom Phuket, is also located in Thailand.
