HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — Officials report that over a dozen tigers were incinerated after they contracted bird flu at Vuon Xoai zoo in Bien Hoa, southern Vietnam. These unfortunate events highlight the risks associated with keeping wild animals in captivity.
According to state media outlet VNExpress, a caretaker revealed that the tigers were fed raw chicken sourced from local farms. Among the affected were a panther and 20 tigers, including several cubs, whose weights ranged from 10 to 120 kilograms (20 to 265 pounds) at the time of death. Their bodies were subsequently incinerated and buried on site.
Zoo manager Nguyen Ba Phuc lamented the rapid decline of the tigers, stating, “They died so fast. They looked weak, refused to eat, and passed away within two days of showing symptoms.”
Tests conducted on samples from the tigers confirmed the presence of the H5N1 virus, the strain responsible for bird flu. First identified in 1959, H5N1 has evolved and now poses a significant threat to a range of animals, including domestic pets. Recently, the virus has been detected in various species, from dogs and cats to sea lions and polar bears.
In cats, the virus can attack the brain, damaging blood vessels and leading to seizures and death, according to recent studies. The health of other tigers at the zoo is being closely monitored, with more than 20 tigers placed in isolation as a precaution. The zoo also contains approximately 3,000 other animals, including lions, bears, rhinos, hippos, and giraffes.
Fortunately, the 30 staff members responsible for caring for the tigers tested negative for bird flu and were reported to be in good health, as per VNExpress. Yet, similar tragedies have unfolded elsewhere; another outbreak at a zoo in nearby Long An province resulted in the death of 27 tigers and 3 lions within a week in September.
CORRECTS NAME OF ZOO – Animal health workers spray disinfectant after tigers died of bird flu at Vuon Xoai zoo in Bien Hoa city, Vietnam on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. (Phuoc Tuan/VNExpress via AP)
Recent reports indicate that unusual strains of flu originating from animals can occasionally infect humans. Health authorities in the U.S. noted that two dairy workers in California tested positive for bird flu, bringing the total number of cases in the country to 16 in 2024.
PETA’s Senior Vice President, Jason Baker, expressed his concerns, stating, “The deaths of 47 tigers, three lions, and a panther at My Quynh Safari and Vuon Xoai Zoo amid Vietnam’s bird flu outbreak are tragic and highlight the risks of keeping wild animals in captivity.” He emphasized that the exploitation of wild animals could jeopardize global human health by increasing the chances of future pandemics.
Bird flu has led to numerous fatalities worldwide, predominantly affecting those who have had direct contact with infected birds.
