Chiang Mai Night Safari
Chiang Mai Night Safari is situated 30 minutes outside of Chiang Mai. It is only open from around 5pm and offers a range of activities to see a large number of different animals. It is a strange amalgamation of improvements, modern ideas and old-school entertainment. The tigers residing there have varying levels of welfare depending on which section of the park they are part of, as there is a zoo zone comprising of small cages and various shows and a safari zone with large natural enclosures and free-roaming animals. Some years there are cubs which does result in a cub feeding programme.
Overview
3.6
Cages/Enclosures
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There were multiple different caging/enclosure areas
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Safari zones were large and spacious containing plenty of natural enrichment
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Display exhibits were glass fronted. Fronts contain rock formations, ponds and attempts at a natural environment. Tigers could retreat to the lockdown room at the back though this area can also be seen by the public. In recent years, these displays now have had sandy substrate placed on the floor
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Lockdown rooms were concrete floored and bare
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No grass or natural vegetation in any of the display areas
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Enrichment items such as hanging tyres are now available in the display exhibits
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Clean water was provided
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Areas for tiger shows were well designed in terms of creating a natural environment, however it is unknown what their living/night quarters look like
Physical & Mental Health
Physical
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White and golden tigers demonstrating possible inbreeding
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Tigers in the 'White Tiger' show were declawed
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Tigers in the 'White Tiger' show clearly thirsty
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Body condition - adequate
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Limping and swellings on limbs were observed
Mental
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A few tigers seen pacing though the park is only open at night and could be due to oncoming feeding hours
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Some tigers were made to perform unnatural tricks with a handler, which they were clearly uncomfortable with
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Tigers in the Safari Zone displayed more natural, positive behaviours
What we are doing to help
At this time we are raising awareness for the situation of the captive tigers in Thailand through education of the public and through a number of different petitions.
Head to our Petition zone to see how you can help.
