Avian influenza, specifically the H5N1 strain, has taken a devastating toll on big cat populations in southern Vietnam. According to state media, 47 tigers, three lions, and a panther died at two zoos in the region between August and September. The deaths occurred at My Quynh safari park in Long An province and Vuon Xoai zoo in Dong Nai, near Ho Chi Minh City.
Tests conducted by the National Centre for Animal Health Diagnosis confirmed that the animals succumbed to the H5N1 type A virus. While the zoos declined to comment on the situation, the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported that no zoo staff members who had close contact with the animals exhibited respiratory symptoms.
The tragedy highlights the potential threat of avian influenza to wildlife. Education for Nature Vietnam (ENV), a wildlife conservation NGO, revealed that there were 385 tigers in captivity in Vietnam at the end of 2023. Of these, approximately 310 were housed in privately owned farms and zoos, while the remaining animals resided in state-owned facilities.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed increasing concern regarding deadly outbreaks among mammals caused by influenza viruses, including H5N1. While infections in humans can range from mild to severe, some cases can be fatal. Vietnam previously reported a human fatality from the virus in March of this year.
This tragic event echoes a similar incident in 2004, where dozens of tigers died from bird flu or were culled at the world’s largest breeding farm in Thailand. The recent deaths in Vietnam serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing threat posed by avian influenza to both wildlife and human health.
