On October 3, confirming with Lao Dong Newspaper reporters, a representative of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Branch of Dong Nai province said that they had coordinated with functional agencies including forest rangers, disease control center, environment, police, and Phuoc Tan Ward People's Committee to discuss a plan to handle 20 Bengal tigers and 1 black panther that died at Vuon Xoai tourist area.
The representative of the Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Branch of Dong Nai province announced the test results from the Central Veterinary Diagnosis Center - Department of Animal Health.
Accordingly, two tiger samples taken at the Mango Garden tourist area were both positive for the H5N1 avian influenza virus.
Representatives of the units have agreed to destroy all 20 Bengal tigers and 1 black leopard that died in the past. The People's Committee of Phuoc Tan Ward will decide to destroy the dead tigers and leopards.
The destruction site is located right on the premises of the Mango Garden tourist area and under the supervision of the authorities.
According to Vuon Xoai 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 ranges from about 5kg - 10kg/individual to 100 - 120kg/individual. The dead black panther weighed from 80 - 100kg.
According to the Mango Garden Eco-Tourism Company Limited, 20 tigers and 1 black panther that died from September 8 until now are being preserved in a refrigerated container at the company.
However, due to the large quantity, the container could not maintain enough cold temperature and started 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.
