Timeline Revealed: 72 Tigers Dead at Mae Rim Tiger Sanctuary, Department of Livestock Reports Cause as Feline Distemper

Timeline revealed "Tiger" 72 tigers died at the Mae Rim Tiger Sanctuary in Chiang Mai. Meanwhile, the Department of Livestock disclosed the cause as "feline distemper"

Following the case of the "Chiang Mai Tiger Sanctuary" temporarily closing for 14 days after an outbreak killed many tigers, initial findings showed severe lung infections, but investigations into the cause are ongoing.(Caretakers saddened as disease outbreak claims many tigers; investigations into the cause are still underway.)

Later, reporters noted that Chiang Mai livestock officials, district livestock officers, and related agencies visited the Mae Rim Tiger Sanctuary to inspect the site again, examine the animal feed, and send samples to the veterinary department at Chiang Mai University for analysis to determine the cause of death.

Meanwhile, related agencies have reviewed and reported information to the Department of Livestock and other authorities. They examined the tiger sanctuary timeline and summarized that a total of 72 tigers died: 21 at Mae Rim and 51 at Mae Taeng, leaving 124 tigers remaining.

Timeline of tiger illness and deaths

• 8 February 2026: At Mae Taeng Tiger Sanctuary, 31 tigers showed lethargy and illness.
• 9 February 2026: One tiger died at Mae Taeng, leaving 145 tigers.
• 10 February 2026: At Mae Rim, 15 tigers were sick and 3 died, leaving 47 tigers.
• 11 February 2026: Mae Taeng reported 4 more tiger deaths, leaving 141 tigers.
• 12 February 2026: Mae Rim had 10 additional tiger deaths, leaving 37; Mae Taeng had 15 more deaths, leaving 126.
• 13 February 2026: Mae Rim reported 4 more deaths (33 left), Mae Taeng 16 more deaths (110 left).
• 14 February 2026: 21 tigers were transferred from Mae Rim to Mae Taeng; Mae Taeng recorded 9 more deaths, leaving 101 tigers.
• 15 February 2026: 12 tigers moved from Mae Rim to Mae Taeng; Mae Taeng reported 3 more deaths, leaving 98 tigers.
• 16 February 2026: Mae Rim reported 3 more tiger deaths, leaving 30.
• 17 February 2026: At Mae Rim, 5 tigers were sick; Mae Taeng received 23 tigers from Mae Rim and reported 3 more deaths, leaving 95.
• 18 February 2026: Mae Rim had 3 sick tigers and 1 death, leaving 29; Mae Taeng received 29 more tigers and had no new deaths, maintaining 95.

Reporters asked agencies caring for and feeding the tigers, including staff at Chiang Mai Zoo, about tiger care and feeding. Officials said the zoo had stopped feeding tigers chicken long ago and switched to other types of food because chickens previously had avian diseases, raising concerns that tigers could contract infections. Therefore, all chicken-based food for tigers was discontinued.

However, the cause of the tiger deaths awaits confirmation from autopsy results conducted by the Veterinary Hospital at Chiang Mai University and related agencies. Previously, samples of tiger carcasses were sent to a central veterinary hospital, where tests indicated avian influenza. This time, the Department of Livestock held a press conference in Bangkok confirming the cause of death as "feline distemper."