Target: Suriya Juangroongruangkit, Minister of Agriculture and Cooperatives
Goal: Investigate potential welfare failures and implement reforms in case involving 72 deceased captive tigers.
Dozens of captive tigers recently died from a viral outbreak in Thailand. Initial reports couldn’t even agree on the specific disease that claimed the lives of 72 big cats in two different Tiger Kingdom facilities. The viruses identified as potential culprits typically cause respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous system problems.
Criticism has since mounted against Tiger Kingdom, which hosts over 400 tigers. The virus that is believed to be the main source of the deaths does have an available vaccine. But at the two facilities, no tigers were apparently vaccinated against the virus. Backlash has also arisen due to allegedly unsanitary housing conditions that may have perpetuated the spread of the virus. To make matters worse, the tourist attraction often involves interactions between the animals and the public, which raises the risk of a crossover contamination.
Sign the petition below to demand Thai officials hold this business to account for any wrongdoing and, on a broader level, enact immediate reforms that prioritize the welfare and health of captive animals.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Minister Juangroongruangkit,
The Mai Taeng and Mai Rim Tiger Kingdom facilities were the sites of a recent animal welfare tragedy, when 72 captive tigers died because of reported failures to prevent and contain a deadly virus. The alleged lack of mandated vaccinations for the distemper virus and alleged inability to provide adequate and safe habitation conditions should be investigated. If this company absconded in any way its duty of care towards these animals, it should be closed immediately.
Moreover, the too-common practice of “treating” animal viral outbreaks after the fact with mass culling needs to end. Humans who use animals to make a profit and expose these animals (and their potential sicknesses) to the public must be held to a stringent standard that includes mandatory vaccinations against any preventable illnesses and strict, humane housing guidelines. Otherwise, you will have an animal welfare and public health crisis in the making.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Charles Barilleaux
.jpg){kind=link}