Canine distemper virus is being blamed as the primary cause of the death of 72 captive tigers., According to Sky News and CNN.
The tigers died between February 8-18 at two Tiger Kingdom tourist parks in northeast Thailand.
The incident remains under investigation. Thailand is an illustration of the uncertain future of tigers (Panthera Tigris) . The wild population is one of the last strongholds of the Southeast Asian tiger. They once were common across SE Asia but are gone in many places. Today Thailand is estimated to have as many as 250 wild tigers. They face threats including habitat loss and poaching. Nevertheless their population may have grown three fold between 2002 and 2023,
Like much of the world Thailand has many more in captivity than in the wild. About 1,900 are held in captivity. Almost 8x as many as in the wild.
These tigers live in conditions ranging from good to very bad. Allegations of drugging and abuse are common. Tourists are often allowed to interact with the tigers. Many believe the tigers are drugged and abused to prevent tourist injuries. Tourists can often hold cubs and pet adults.
The source of the virus is not clear. It is speculated the tigers got it from
Contaminated chicken they were fed.
According to AI there were 30 countries that once had tiger populations. Other Sources now say That number is down to 12. Those nations committed to doubling the number of wild tigers. India has 3,700 about 70 percent of the total. A few others countries did raise the numbers. But about half of the nations did not succeed. Cambodia, for example, has no tigers left but may introduce them.
The United States may have a total of 10,000 tigers, all in captivity. Less than 1000 are in accredited zoos. The rest are in private hands and sanctuaries. With conditions ranging from good to poor.
Many conservation agencies are working to save both wild and captive tigers.