Video: Indian Tourist Injured by Tiger During Selfie Attempt at Phuket’s Tiger Kingdom
Video: Indian Tourist Injured by Tiger During Selfie Attempt at Phuket's Tiger Kingdom
Viral video reignites debate over wildlife tourism, animal welfare, and human recklessness
A shocking video from Thailand’s popular tourist spot Tiger Kingdom in Phuket has gone viral, capturing the terrifying moment an Indian tourist was attacked by a tiger while trying to take a selfie. The video, which has now been viewed over 3.6 million times on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), has left netizens stunned and sparked a wave of concern over the ethics and safety of such wildlife encounters.
The footage shows a man walking beside a chained tiger inside the park. As he crouches to pose for a photograph, a trainer can be seen using a stick to make the animal sit still. However, moments later, the tiger suddenly lunges at the tourist, launching a swift and aggressive attack. Screams fill the air as onlookers react in horror.
According to X user Siddharth Shukla (@sidhshuk), who shared the video, the Indian tourist sustained only “minor injuries” and survived the incident. Shukla captioned the clip with a critical note about such parks where tigers are kept like pets and are used for human interaction, including selfies and feeding.
The incident has reignited serious discussions around wildlife tourism and the treatment of captive animals. Many users took to the comments section to express concern over the welfare of the animals and the lack of adequate safety measures in such parks. One user wrote, “Always avoid such stunts. Animals are animals. Treat them kindly, but never expect gratitude or predictability.” Another pointed out, “These reckless acts can quickly become deadly, turning a moment of thrill into tragedy. Responsible travel requires caution and respect for the raw power of wildlife.”
This is not the first time a video of this nature has surfaced online. Social media has seen a surge in clips showing people attempting close contact with wild animals, often leading to dangerous consequences. Experts have repeatedly warned that wild animals, no matter how tame they appear, remain unpredictable and should not be provoked or used for entertainment.
The viral video has prompted fresh calls for stricter regulation of such tourist attractions and better education on ethical wildlife interaction. As the debate grows louder, the message is clear: the price of a selfie should never be life or suffering, whether human or animal.
