Bird Flu Outbreak Leads to Death of 47 Tigers in Vietnam Zoos
A recent bird flu outbreak killed 47 tigers, three lions, and a panther in zoos in southern Vietnam. The animals died between August and September at My Quynh Safari Park in Long An province and Vuon Xoai Zoo in Dong Nai, near Ho Chi Minh City. The National Centre for Animal Health Diagnosis confirmed that the H5N1 bird flu virus caused the deaths, as reported by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).
Tests identified the H5N1 virus in the affected animals, but the zoos involved have not commented on the situation. Fortunately, none of the zoo staff members in close contact with the infected animals showed any respiratory symptoms.
According to Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV), a wildlife conservation NGO, Vietnam had 385 tigers in captivity in 2023, with around 310 kept in private facili...