Young tiger found dead in Mae Wong National Park

The carcass of a young tiger named Vichit was discovered by wildlife officials in Mae Wong National Park in Kamphaeng Phet province. The tiger was believed to be five years old and had likely wandered out of Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary where it lives naturally before meeting its demise.

The chief of Nakhon Sawan’s Protected Areas Regional Office 12, reported that rangers from Mae Wong National Park had informed him of the discovery of a dead tiger near a creek in the central province on January 9.

An examination of the carcass revealed traces of claw scratches and animal bites all over the body, as well as broken front ankles and several infected wounds. A veterinary team was brought in to conduct a more detailed examination at the Mae Wong National Park Office since the tiger’s body was found deep in the forest.

The examination revealed that the tiger was male, weighed around 100 kilograms, and had been deceased for approximately three days. The primary cause of death was determined to be septicemia – when toxins or bacteria poison the blood – a common ailment in the tiger’s natural habitat. The tiger’s hair had begun to fall out and flies and worms had already swarmed the carcass.

No evidence of human interference was found.

The tiger’s bones will be preserved for further research, as tigers are a critically endangered species. However, in accordance with the policy of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife, and Plant Conservation, the skin and meat will be incinerated to prevent poachers or others from selling the pelt or eating the meat.

Vichit was identified by his stripes to be one of the tigers from the World Wildlife Fund’s repopulation program. Born in Huai Kha Khaeng Wildlife Sanctuary, he migrated to Mae Wong National Park in February of last year. The Khao Nang Rum Wildlife Research Station in Uthai Thani province had kept tabs on the young tiger.

It is believed that the tiger may have died as a result of a territorial dispute with other male tigers in the area.