Zoo blames tiger deaths on rain
The Chiang Mai Night Safari has blamed heavy rainfall for causing the feline distemper virus that killed three of its tigers last month.
The deaths add to a similar tragedy caused partly by feline distemper in which 86 tigers under the care of wildlife officials died over the course of three years.
Feline distemper can spread through the air or water running through the zoo compound, while moisture due to frequent rainfall provided the perfect conditions for the virus to rapidly strengthen after attacking the tigers, according to Anucha Damrongmani, chief executive officer of the Pinkanakorn Development Office Public Organisation, the company that owns the zoo.
The disease, also known as the panleukopenia virus, is common among cats. Panleukopenia, which is a lack of white blood cells, destroys the animals’ natural defences.
The tigers, all female, comprised a 15-year-old Bengal tiger, a nine-year-old Indochinese tiger, and a six-year-old white tiger.
“They probably had low immunity,” Mr Anucha said, adding the tigers are usually vaccinated each year.
It is difficult to trace the origins of the disease, so the best way is to keep the ground dry, he said.
After the deaths, the zoo increased preventive measures, including sprinkling lime powder around the tigers’ area to kill germs.
The zoo was able to stop the spread of the disease within a week, and the situation now has returned to normal, Mr Anucha insisted.