Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A devastating bird flu outbreak has kills dozens of tiger at a zoo in Bien Hoa, southern Vietnam, leaving others critically ill. According to a report by Newsweek on Saturday, October 5, a total of 20 tigers died after being fed raw chicken purchased from a nearby farm. The deceased includes a panther and 20 tigers, including several cubs, succumbed to the illness.
“The tigers died rapidly. They appeared weak, refused to eat, and succumbed to illness after just two days,” said Nguyen Ba Phuc, the zoo’s manager.
Samples collected from the deceased tigers tested positive for the H5N1 virus, the strain responsible for avian influenza.
Following the outbreak, more than 20 other tigers at the zoo have been placed in isolation for close monitoring. The zoo, home to around 3,000 animals, also houses lions, bears, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, and giraffes.
Thirty staff members responsible for caring for the tigers have been tested for bird flu, with all results returning negative. The staff remain in good health, according to zoo officials.
The outbreak of Bird Flu that kills Tiger at the Bien Hoa zoo comes just weeks after a similar incident occurred at a nearby zoo in Long An province, where 27 tigers and 3 lions died in a single week in September.
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The H5N1 virus was first identified in 1959 and has since evolved into a highly lethal threat to migratory birds and domestic poultry. In recent years, the virus has also been detected in a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, sea lions, and polar bears. Though rare, avian influenza can sometimes spread to humans, posing significant public health risks.
Jason Baker, Senior Vice President of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), has voiced concern over the recent deaths of dozens of wild animals in Vietnam, pointing to the dangers of captivity in the midst of a bird flu outbreak.
“The deaths of 47 tigers, three lions, and a panther at My Quynh Safari and Vuon Xoai Zoo during Vietnam’s bird flu outbreak are tragic and underscore the inherent risks of keeping wild animals in captivity,” Baker said.
He further emphasized the broader public health risks, warning that such conditions could increase the likelihood of another global pandemic.
(Raidi/Agung)
