We can’t stand hearing this news anymore in 2026: 72 tigers have been infected and killed by Feline parvovirus al Tiger’s Kingdom in Chiang Maia zoo in Thailand where the poor animals live in captivity and atrocious conditions, only let out of their cages for a few photos with the tourists. The situation of promiscuity and presumably weakened immune systems caused the virus to proliferate, killing the tigers after terrible suffering. It’s really time to say enough is enough.
As local media reported, preliminary tests carried out by those responsible for the farm revealed that the 72 tigers who died at the facility, which has inexplicably become a tourist attraction, were infected with feline parvovirus, complicated by other bacteria. Inbreeding between captive tigers may have weakened their immune systems and increased the risk of infection. As well as the completely unnatural conditions where the animals are forced to live.
The first deaths were recorded on February 8, but the suffering of the felines was not clear, perhaps because their whole life, in those conditions, is suffering. On Friday 20 February, the managers of the farm ordered the quarantine and disinfection of the site in the Mae Rim district, in the northern province, only to face a succession of deaths.
The Tiger Kingdom in Mae Rim and Mae Taengin the Northern Province, was “home” to 246 tigers, and from February 8 to 18 a total of 72 tigers had died, the largest slaughter of captive tigers ever recorded.
After autopsies of the carcasses, feline parvovirus, also known as feline panleukopenia, was found, according to analyzes conducted by a veterinary team atChiang Mai Provincial Livestock Office.
Tiger Kingdom is a for-profit organization that exploits tigers for money – the non-profit organization People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia writes on its Facebook page – For years, PETA has raised the alarm about this archaic structure. Tigers spend their lives confined and chained, dragged out only to pose for photos, where many appear so unnaturally docile as to raise serious doubts about whether they have been drugged
In Thailand there are many zoos where big cats are forced to live a life that is not theirs. And for many years these structures have been accused of trafficking and mistreatment of animals.
Then, every time one of them is saved, we witness moving scenes that remind us how animals have the right to live where and how nature has chosen for them, not where and how it suits humans.
These tigers died as they lived – PETA Asia continues – in poverty, imprisonment and fear. It’s time for the Thai government to shut down these businesses once and for all. PETA stands ready to help relocate the remaining animals to reliable sanctuaries where they can finally run, explore and behave like tigers for the first time
It’s really time to say enough to all this.
Sources: Bangkok Post February 20, 2026 / Bangkok Post February 21, 2026 / PETA Asia/Facebook
