Chiang mai: More than 70 tigers have died this month under unexplained circumstances at a popular tourist attraction, the Tiger Kingdom Chiang Mai park in northern Thailand. The park has consequently initiated a two-week closure and an investigation is underway to uncover the cause of the deaths.

According to Anadolu Agency, provincial livestock officials have banned all unauthorized entry to the facility and have commenced a disinfection process throughout the park. Additionally, laboratory tests are being conducted on the tiger carcasses in an effort to determine the cause of the deaths. The alarming series of deaths began on February 8, with initial speculation pointing to raw chicken used as feed. However, officials have not yet confirmed the exact cause.

The surviving tigers have been relocated to the park’s care center located in the Mae Taeng district of Chiang Mai province, where they are under close observation. Kritsayarm Kongsatri, the director of the Protected Areas Regional Office, noted the unusual nature of the incident, stressing the significance of losing such a large number of animals in a short span of time.