20 Bengal tigers and 1 black panther died at Vuon Xoai Tourist Area
On October 2, speaking with a reporter from Lao Dong Newspaper, Mr. Nguyen Truong Giang - Manager of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Branch of Dong Nai province said that the unit is coordinating with the Veterinary Branch of Region VI to work with the Mango Garden Eco-tourism Company Limited (Phuoc Tan Ward, Bien Hoa City) to determine the cause and disease situation related to the incident of 20 tigers dying here.
According to the Mango Garden Eco-tourism Company Limited, on September 8, 4 Bengal tigers and 1 black panther died. Then, on September 9, 7 Bengal tigers died; on September 10, 2 Bengal tigers died; on September 11, 4 Bengal tigers died; on September 12, 1 Bengal tiger died; on September 17, 1 Bengal tiger died and on September 22, 1 Bengal tiger died.
A total of 20 Bengal tigers and 1 black leopard died.
The weight of the dead tigers ranged from about 5kg-10kg/individual to 100-120kg/individual. The dead black panther weighed 80-100kg.
Previously, on September 30, the Pasteur Institute of Ho Chi Minh City sent a document to the Department of Preventive Medicine about receiving information shared from the Veterinary Branch of Region VI recording that a dead tiger tested positive for the A/H5N1 influenza virus at My Quynh Zoo (Long An province) and a tiger died of unknown cause at the Vuon Xoai Eco-tourism Area (Dong Nai province).
Accordingly, in Long An province from August 2024 to September 16, 2024, at My Quynh zoo, 30 tigers and lions died (27 tigers and 3 lions), including 3 newly imported tigers from Vuon Xoai Eco-tourism Company Limited (Dong Nai province) on September 6, 2024, the remaining individuals originated from the zoo.
In Dong Nai province, according to quick information from the Veterinary Branch VI at the Mango Garden Eco-tourism Area, Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris) and black panthers (Panthera pardus) have died.
Officers of the Bien Hoa City Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Station conducted clinical examinations and random autopsies on the two dead tigers mentioned above, initially diagnosing that the two Bengal tigers died of suspected pneumonia. The test results for the cause are currently unavailable.
There have been no reports of anyone in close contact showing symptoms of respiratory infection. The Department of Health has directed the Dong Nai Province Center for Disease Control to coordinate with relevant departments and agencies to investigate the cause. At the same time, monitor the health of those who have come into contact with these tigers.
Proposal to destroy 20 Bengal tigers and 1 dead leopard that stinks
Previously, on September 26, Vuon Xoai Eco-tourism Company Limited sent a document requesting direction on how to handle 20 dead Bengal tigers and 1 dead black panther.
According to the Mango Garden Ecotourism Company, 20 tigers and 1 black panther that have died since September 8 are being kept in a refrigerated container at the company. However, due to the large number of animals, the container is not cold enough and is starting to smell bad.
The company requests direction to soon destroy the 20 Bengal tigers and 1 black panther mentioned above to prevent disease in time and avoid environmental pollution.
Talking to Lao Dong Newspaper reporter, Mr. Ngo Van Vinh - Branch Manager of Dong Nai Province Forestry said, according to Clause 5, Article 13 of Decree No. 160/2013/ND-CP dated November 12, 2013 of the Government on criteria for determining species and management regime of species in the list of endangered, precious and rare species prioritized for protection, it is stipulated that:
“In case an individual wild animal dies during the breeding process, the owner of the biodiversity conservation facility must report to the specialized agency of the Provincial People's Committee for confirmation and decision on handling according to one of the following options:
a) Transfer to scientific agencies, training and environmental education facilities, and specialized museums for research, preservation, and education to raise public awareness;
b) Destruction in cases where wild animals die due to epidemics or cannot be handled according to the plan prescribed in Point a of this Clause".
