Officials from Doi Inthanon National Park have visited Ban Luang subdistrict, Chom Thong district, after villagers reported seeing a large tiger-like wild animal that killed three free-grazing cattle.
Each carcass bore severe bite wounds to the neck, causing significant fear among local residents.
Park officials found multiple animal footprints at the scene, measuring approximately 6–7 centimetres in width, though the species could not yet be conclusively identified. The remains of three cattle were discovered, each with neck bite injuries, located about 50 metres apart.
Later this afternoon, officials planned to install camera traps to monitor and identify wildlife activity in the area. Residents have also been advised to temporarily avoid entering the area until the animal species can be confirmed.
Krissayam Khongsatri, Director of the Protected Areas Regional Office 16, said villagers insisted the animal was a large tiger measuring nearly 3 metres in body length. However, authorities have ruled out the possibility of an escaped captive tiger.
A nearby tiger farm in Doi Lo district, approximately 30 kilometres in a straight line from the reported site, was inspected. Officials confirmed that all seven registered tigers remained securely in their enclosures, with none missing.
In total, only two tiger ownership registrations exist in Chiang Mai and Lamphun provinces. The second is located in Mae Taeng district, Chiang Mai, where tigers are kept under the care of a licensed facility. And where dozens have died in the past weeks.
Krissayam added that there has never previously been a confirmed report of wild tigers in this part of Doi Inthanon National Park.
