Villagers in Chiang Mai are alarmed after three cattle were found fatally bitten, leaving severe wounds. The suspected culprit is a tiger, as animal paw prints were found, though the species has not yet been confirmed. Doi Inthanon has never recorded natural tiger sightings, and nearby farms report no escaped tigers.
On 24 Feb 2026 GMT+7, reporters learned that officials from Doi Inthanon National Park investigated the forest area behind Mae Pa Ko village, Moo 9, Ban Luang Subdistrict, Chom Thong District, Chiang Mai, after villagers reported sightings of a large wild animal resembling a tiger. Three cattle released by villagers were found killed, each with severe bite wounds on their necks. This incident has caused significant fear among local residents.
Officials found several animal paw prints at the reported site, each about 6–7 centimeters wide, but they could not yet clearly identify the species. Additionally, three cattle carcasses bitten on the neck were found, each about 50 meters apart.
This afternoon, Doi Inthanon National Park officials will set up camera traps to monitor and identify wildlife movements in the area. They have also advised residents to temporarily avoid entering the area until the animal species can be definitively identified.
Kritsayam Kongsri, Director of Protected Area Regional Office 16, said villagers confirmed the animal was a large tiger nearly three meters long. Regarding whether it escaped from captivity, officials checked a nearby tiger farm in Doi Lor District, adjacent to Chom Thong District, about 30 kilometers away in a straight line. The owner has seven tigers, and wildlife conservation officers inspected the farm this afternoon, finding all seven tigers present with no escapes.
In Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces, only two tiger owners have been registered. Another is located in Mae Taeng District, Chiang Mai, where the Mae Taeng tiger sanctuary operates.
Kritsayam also added that the forest area of Doi Inthanon National Park where the incident occurred has never previously reported sightings of wild tigers.