'Whistle blowing' on tourist area for guests to directly contact tiger 'ambassador'

Tourists in close contact with a tiger at Hon Nhan eco-tourism area, Dien Chau district, Nghe An during Lunar New Year 2025 - Photo: TAM PHAM

On the afternoon of April 14, information from the Nghe An Forest Protection Department said that this unit had sent a document requesting to rectify activities at zoos, sent to Hon Nhan eco-tourism area, Dien Doai commune, Dien Chau district regarding the incident of allowing tourists to directly contact with tigers.

Recently, on social networks, images and videos have been circulating, recording a friendly tiger cub named "Ngao", clinging to its caregiver, constantly being petted and held like a pet.

Along with that, a series of images of many tourists directly interacting with tiger cubs were shared on social networks.

Many people are interested, even calling it a "tourism ambassador", making this eco-tourism area attract a large number of visitors.

According to Nghe An Forest Protection Department, allowing tourists to come into direct contact with wild animals, even tiger cubs, is an illegal act, posing many potential risks to public health and safety.

The tiger cub named "Ngao" is over 6 months old and weighs about 23kg - Photo: DOAN HOA

The fact that this eco-tourism area allows tourists to come into direct contact with ferocious pets (tigers) is a spontaneous act, without permission from the authorities.

Therefore, Nghe An Forest Protection Department requested the unit to immediately stop allowing visitors to have direct contact with pets, especially ferocious animals such as tigers, lions, bears, etc. At the same time, request the tourist area to have a written explanation of the incident; and must strictly comply with the provisions of the law on the protection of wild animals in general and wild animals in particular.

In particular, do not allow people to come into direct contact with these species (except in cases of medical intervention by veterinary staff).

Visitors are only allowed to view animals from licensed areas. Direct contact poses a risk of animal attacks due to wild instincts, and increases the possibility of disease transmission from animals to humans and vice versa.

Nghe An Forest Protection Department also requested the eco-tourism area to remove all articles and images related to allowing people to directly contact tigers on social networking platforms and electronic information pages.

Currently, Hon Nhan eco-tourism area has built glass cages for tourists to observe tigers - Photo: DOAN HOA

Responding to Tuoi Tre Online , a representative of Hon Nhan eco-tourism area said that the unit currently has 25 large and small tigers, licensed to import and raise since 2016. Many tigers have bred here, including "Ngao's" parents.

"Ngao" and the other tiger cubs have been cared for by staff since birth. This tiger cub was introduced to visitors at 3 months old, weighing 10kg. Now the tiger is over 6 months old, weighing about 23kg.

Currently, the eco-tourism area has built a glass cage for visitors to observe the tigers. Visitors will observe and take souvenir photos with the tigers through a layer of glass; they are not allowed to touch the tiger cubs, make loud noises or make sudden actions that may agitate the animal.

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Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tuyt-coi-khu-du-lich-de-khach-tiep-xuc-truc-tiep-ho-dai-su-2025041418021028.htm