Pounced by Profit: Why the Sri Racha Tiger Attack Should Be a Wake-Up Call for Wildlife Tourism

A photorealistic 16:9 image of a tiger on a short chain in a mock jungle setting at a zoo. In the foreground, a nervous tourist sits awkwardly beside the tiger, a handler holding a baton stands just behind. The tension is visible. The background shows artificial greenery and signage reading “Tiger Topia.” Lighting is harsh, emphasizing the unnatural setting. The atmosphere conveys unease, with a sense of something about to go wrong. A watermark-style overlay reads: “Wild animals don’t belong in your photo.”

Let me know if you’d like a second image to contrast with this one—featuring a wild tiger roaming freely in a natural habitat.

The tourists gathered under the warm Thai sun, hearts beating with anticipation. They had paid for a once-in-a-lifetime experience—to walk beside a tiger. Cameras clicked. Smiles beamed. And then, in a matter of seconds, the fantasy shattered.

A tiger turned.

A paw lunged.

A man was on the ground.

On May 26, 2025, at the Sri Racha Tiger Zoo in Chonburi Province, Thailand, a terrifying moment unfolded. During a tourist tiger-walking activity in the so-called “Mini Tiger Topia,” a man from India reached out to embrace the tiger he had just walked with. He petted its head and played with it for photos—a manufactured intimacy designed to thrill but built on misunderstanding the true nature of wild predators.

In response, the tiger did what any wild animal might do when confused and restrained: it reacted. The handler tried to redirect the big cat using a baton and a chain, but this startled the animal into pouncing on the tourist.

The incident, captured on video, lasted just 5-6 seconds but quickly went viral. It shocked the internet, outraged animal lovers, and pushed Thai authorities into immediate action. Thailand’s Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation confirmed the attack and ordered the park to permanently cancel tiger walking activities. But the bigger question lingers: Why were we allowing this in the first place?

Behind the Illusion of Control

Facilities like Sri Racha, operated by Sri Racha Crocodile Farm and Products Co., Ltd., hold licenses and promote these encounters as safe. But “safe” in this context is a fragile illusion. The tiger walking program simulated a natural forest environment to offer tourists "close encounters"—yet there’s nothing natural about coercing a wild animal into performing photo ops or walks.

Even the zoo’s response—covering $6,175 in medical costs and providing return flights—felt transactional, a tidy settlement that does little to address the larger moral issue: tigers are not props.

Tourists may come away with a selfie, but tigers pay the price with their dignity, well-being, and sometimes their lives.

The Dark Side of Captive Big Cat Attractions

Thailand has long been a hub for exotic animal tourism. Tiger parks and petting zoos draw millions in search of the thrill of proximity to power. Yet these experiences come at a steep cost. Tigers are often bred in captivity, taken from mothers too early, or subjected to harsh training and sedation to keep them docile.

Organizations like WWF Thailand have long opposed such practices. They argue that captivity, breeding, and unnatural use of wild animals serve neither conservation nor education. Instead, they promote exploitation masked as entertainment.

The incident at Sri Racha underscores this truth. Even in what’s considered a controlled environment, one wrong move—a pat on the head, a frightened animal, a sharp pull of a chain—and nature reclaims its voice.

A Moment of Reckoning

For once, the response from authorities was swift. The Thai government not only canceled the tiger walks but also mandated increased safety measures, more handlers, clearer signage, and stronger equipment. But this is only damage control. What we need is transformation.

The real solution is not better control—it’s no contact at all.

There Is a Better Way

Big Cat Rescue, once a sanctuary in Florida and now a global force for in situ conservation, championed the Big Cat Public Safety Act in the U.S. to end public contact with big cats. This landmark law, passed in December 2022, banned private ownership and cub petting. And guess what? Not a single child has been mauled in the U.S. by a captive big cat since.

It’s time other countries followed suit.

Conservation isn’t about selfies. It’s about protecting wild cats where they belong: in the wild.

What You Can Do

Tourism can be a powerful force for good—if we choose wisely. Support sanctuaries that do not breed, buy, sell, or allow public contact with big cats. Say no to tiger selfies. Educate others. Speak out.

Your voice can help end practices like those at Sri Racha Tiger Zoo. Let this viral video be more than a moment of shock—let it spark change.

Because the only place a tiger should be walking… is free.

Read more: https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/environment/2025/06/06/thai-authorities-order-sri-racha-park-to-cancel-tiger-walking-activities/