After tiger attack on Indian tourist, ban imposed at Chonburi Zoo

The Thai National Parks Department has ordered a ban on ‘tiger walks’ at the Chonburi Zoo after a video of an incident in which a tiger attacked a tourist from India appeared online. The video caused a wide resonance, especially in the Indian media.

Initially, there was confusion about the location of the incident, with some sources pointing to Phuket province. Tiger Park and Tiger Kingdom Phuket quickly denied any involvement, emphasizing their strict safety protocols and animal welfare standards at their facilities.

Attapon Charoenchansa, Director General of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, clarified on 6 June that the incident occurred on 26 May at a tiger zoo in the Si Racha district of Chonburi province. Since 31 May, department officials have been conducting an inspection of the area.

The zoo is owned by Sri Racha Crocodile Farm and Products Co., Ltd. and has a valid operating license until 26 May 2028. The incident occurred in the Mini Tiger Topia area, where tourists are offered close contact with tigers in conditions that mimic the wild, including ‘tiger walks.’

According to zoo staff, a group of three Indian tourists visited the zoo, and one of them took part in a ‘tiger walk.’ At the end of the event, the tourist wanted to take a photo. The instructor asked him to sit down, after which the tourist hugged the tiger around the back, stroked its head, and began to play with the animal.

These actions provoked the tiger, and it turned towards the tourist. The instructor tried to distract the animal with a stick and pulled on the chain, but this frightened the tiger, and it attacked the tourist. All the instructors immediately intervened and pulled the tiger away. The incident lasted only 5-6 seconds.

The tourist was taken to the emergency room at Phyathai Hospital, where he spent the night with minor leg injuries similar to dog bites. He later returned to India. The zoo paid all medical expenses and airfare in the amount of 202,046 Thai baht (approximately $6,175), including treatment, flights for three people, and follow-up medical care in India.

The Department of National Parks ordered the zoo to permanently stop ‘tiger walks’ and strengthen safety measures for tourists and staff, including the use of stun guns. It also requires additional warning signs to be installed and detailed safety briefings to be conducted while increasing the number of instructors to prevent inappropriate behavior by visitors.

It is worth noting that tiger zoos in Thailand are often criticized by animal rights organizations, including WWF Thailand, which opposes the keeping, breeding, and use of wild animals in unnatural conditions.

READ FOR MORE ARTICLES HERE

READ FOR MORE ARTICLES HERE