Chiang Mai Zoo in northern Thailand has two rare golden Bengal tigresses as star attractions. Ava and Luna are known for their cream-colored coats, wide eyes, and performances. Sisters Ava and Luna, aged 3 years, have already won hearts with their appearance and skills.
Ava and Luna were born captive; after their introduction to the public in June, fame awaited on the zoo’s social media pages. Selling out their own personal 500-seat arena here at the zoo where four days a week under guidance of trainer Patcharee Pipatwongchai they perform tricks to make this animal show.
“Seeing this tiger, I think it’s very intelligent and can give such impressive performances as this. I’m happy that Chiang Mai has smart animals like this as a key attraction,” said local visitor Wirunya Punyokit of Chiang Mai, quoted by the agency.
It owes the stunning golden coats of tigresses to very rare genetics. According to the Thai National Parks website, their thick, pale gold fur, faint orange stripes, and cream-colored legs come from recessive genes. Such genetic features make them exceptional, since golden Bengal tigers do not exist in nature and are usually bred in zoos or animal breeding centers.
A Thai zoo down south of Bangkok had this baby hippo named Moo Deng, who predated the rise to fame of Ava and Luna. Born earlier in 2024, Moo Deng quickly became an online sensation, as videos featuring her active play circulated wildly around the Internet. She won the heart of all with her dynamism and emotive presentation.
Moo Deng’s popularity also appears in the ‘New York Times’ list of “63 Most Stylish People of 2024,” placing her as one of the world’s phenomenon.
Stories of Ava, Luna, and Moo Deng show how social media transforms zoo animals into popular stars but makes them unique, rare creatures.
