An Indian tourist in Thailand's Phuket narrowly escaped serious harm after attempting to take a selfie with a tiger at the popular Tiger Kingdom attraction. The man, whose identity remains undisclosed, sustained minor injuries following the incident.
A viral video circulating on social media platform X captures the unsettling moment. In the 25-second clip, the man is seen walking beside a tiger and attempting to photograph himself with the animal. Meanwhile, a trainer attempts to control the tiger with a stick, instructing it to stay seated.
Suddenly, the tiger turns aggressive and attacks the man, who can be heard screaming in distress. Comments on the video reflect widespread concern for the man's safety and criticism of the existing safety protocols at such establishments. Viewers questioned the welfare of the animals as well as the risks posed to tourists.
The individual who posted the video confirmed the man’s condition, stating he sustained only minor injuries. Animal behavior experts in the comments noted that the tiger’s agitation may have been provoked by the man repeatedly petting its lower back near sensitive areas, which big cats typically dislike.
Several social media users highlighted this incident as part of an alarming trend where tourists, often due to peer pressure, engage in risky interactions with wild animals in Thailand for photo opportunities.
This episode comes just weeks after a fatal tiger attack in Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh, India, where a local farmer was attacked while working in his field. Authorities reported the tiger had been roaming the area for over a month before the attack.
Experts and authorities continue to urge both tourists and operators to improve safety measures and respect wildlife boundaries to prevent such dangerous encounters in the future.
