On October 2, the Regional Veterinary Office VI and relevant agencies conducted an on-site inspection of wildlife captivity and the handling of deceased tigers at the Vuon Xoai (Mango Garden) tourist site, located in Phuoc Tan Ward, Bien Hoa City of Dong Nai Province.

This inspection comes in response to the sudden deaths of 20 tigers, ranging from a few weeks to full maturity, as well as one leopard over the past month, raising significant public concern.

Preliminary reports indicate that Bien Hoa City's Animal Health Station has performed clinical tests and autopsies on two of the deceased tigers. Initial findings suggest pneumonia as a potential cause of death; however, official test results are still pending.

Nguyen Truong Giang, Chief of Dong Nai’s Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Department, confirmed that following the deaths, the Mango Garden facility performed autopsies and subsequently froze the carcasses.

“The tourist site expressed concerns regarding the number of tiger deaths and sought permission to dispose of the remains due to inadequate storage conditions,” Giang stated. He also reassured the public that all tiger carcasses are accounted for, dispelling rumors that some had been removed for processing.

Despite the deaths, the Mango Garden tourist site reportedly still houses 22 healthy tigers, according to the Bien Hoa City Forest Protection Department. Investigations into the cause of these fatalities are ongoing.

In a broader response, the Pasteur Institute in Ho Chi Minh City has initiated an urgent investigation into the deaths of dozens of big cats - including tigers, lions, and leopards - in Dong Nai and Long An provinces, following several cases that tested positive for the A/H5N1 avian influenza virus.

On October 2, the Pasteur Institute reported receiving information regarding the tiger deaths from the Regional Veterinary Office VI, highlighting that some cases at My Quynh Zoo in Long An had tested positive for the A/H5N1 virus. The ongoing investigation into the unexplained deaths at the Mango Garden tourist site is also a critical focus.

Between August and September 16, My Quynh Zoo reported 30 big cat fatalities, including 27 tigers and three lions. Notably, three of the deceased tigers were transferred from Mango Garden on September 6, while the others originated from the zoo.

The Central Veterinary Diagnostic Center confirmed the presence of the A/H5N1 avian influenza virus in tissue samples from the deceased tigers at My Quynh Zoo collected on August 16.

In Dong Nai, a total of 11 Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris) and one black panther (Panthera pardus) died. Clinical examinations and autopsies on two of the tigers indicated pneumonia as a possible cause of death, but official test results have yet to be released.

Authorities are closely monitoring 30 individuals who had contact with the tigers in Dong Nai, with no reported respiratory symptoms thus far. Nguyen Vu Thuong, Deputy Director of the Pasteur Institute, emphasized the importance of collaboration with veterinary and forestry departments to mitigate the risk of human transmission. Monitoring efforts are also in place for those who had close contact with the animals, including zookeepers and personnel.