Animal health workers spray disinfectant after tigers died of bird flu at Dong Xoai zoo in Bien Hoa city, Vietnam on Thursday, Oct. 3, 2024. (Phuoc Tuan/VNExpress via AP)
More than a dozen tigers at a zoo in southern Vietnam were euthanized after contracting bird flu, according to local officials. The incident occurred at Vuon Xoai Zoo in Bien Hoa city, where the animals were reportedly fed raw chicken sourced from nearby farms, as reported by VNExpress.
The zoo lost 20 tigers, including several cubs, along with a panther. The animals, weighing between 10 and 120 kilograms (20 to 265 pounds), became ill and died quickly. Zoo manager Nguyen Ba Phuc described how the tigers showed signs of weakness, stopped eating, and died just two days after falling sick. Their bodies were later incinerated and buried within the zoo's grounds.
Tests confirmed that the tigers had contracted the H5N1 virus, commonly known as bird flu. This virus, first identified in 1959, has since spread and mutated, affecting not only birds but also a range of animals, including dogs, cats, and even marine mammals like sea lions and polar bears.
In cats, the virus has been known to attack the brain, cause blood clotting, and lead to seizures, often resulting in death. Following the outbreak at Vuon Xoai, over 20 other tigers were quarantined for observation, while the zoo, which is home to 3,000 animals including lions, bears, and giraffes, remained on high alert.
Fortunately, the 30 zoo staff members who had been caring for the tigers tested negative for bird flu and were reported to be in good health. However, a similar outbreak in nearby Long An province recently claimed the lives of 27 tigers and three lions within a week, further raising concerns.
Health officials have warned that flu strains originating in animals can sometimes spread to humans. In the U.S., two dairy workers in California were recently diagnosed with bird flu, bringing the total number of cases in the country this year to 16.
Jason Baker, Senior Vice President of PETA, expressed sorrow over the deaths of the animals, emphasizing the dangers of keeping wild animals in captivity. "The deaths of 47 tigers, three lions, and a panther at My Quynh Safari and Vuon Xoai Zoo are a tragic reminder of the risks involved," Baker said, warning that such practices also pose serious threats to global public health.
Bird flu has been responsible for hundreds of human deaths worldwide, mostly from direct contact with infected birds.
