Thai officials say inbreeding is responsible for the deaths of more than half of 150 tigers rescued from a popular tourist temple three years ago.
The tigers were moved into state-run sanctuaries in 2016 after the temple was accused of animal trafficking.
The temple has denied any wrongdoing.
Since then, Thai media report a total of 86 tigers have died from a viral disease as a result of weak immune systems.
A veterinarian with Thailand's ministry of natural resources and environment confirmed the reports on Monday.
"Those tigers were inbreeding with each other which affected their health condition and led them to be unhealthy," Pattarapol Maneeorn said.
Officials say they'll administer vaccines to the rest of the tigers.
NHK
