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Dozens of tigers dead after confiscation from Thai temple
BANGKOK, Sept 16, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – More than half of the 147 tigers
confiscated from a controversial Thai temple have died, park officials said
Monday, blaming genetic problems linked to in-breeding at the once money-
spinning tourist attraction.
For years, the Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua temple in the western province of
Kanchanaburi pulled tourist hordes who could be photographed — for a fee —
next to scores of tigers.
But in 2016 park officials began a lengthy operation to remove the big
cats amid allegations of mismanagement, and claims the creatures were being
exploited.
Dozens of dead cubs were found kept in freezers, sparking claims the
carcasses were being sold by a temple rumoured to have raked in hundreds of
thousands of dollars each year from visitors.
Tiger parts can fetch enormous sums in China and Vietnam, where they are
falsely believed to have medicinal properties.
The surviving adults were taken to two breeding stations in nearby
Ratchaburi province but only 61 of the 147 have survived so far, parks
officials told reporters.
“It could be linked to in-breeding,” Pattarapol Maneeon, of the Department
of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation said.
“They had genetic problems which posed risks to body and immune system.”
Many suffered from tongue paralysis, breathing problems and lack of
appetite that led to fatal seizures.
– Legal cases ongoing –
“Most of the tigers were already in distressed state stemming from the
transportation and change of location… later their health problems
emerged,” Sunthorn Chaiwattana, another department official said.
Legal cases against the temple are ongoing.
Conservationists questioned whether authorities had looked after the
seized animals appropriately, with small, cramped cages enabling the spread
of disease. “To be very honest who would be ready to take in so many tigers
at once?” said Edwin Wiek, founder of the Wildlife Friends Foundation
Thailand.
Conditions at the enclosures were “not good enough to house so many tigers
and the set up was wrong”, he added.
Tens of millions visit Thailand every year, and a lucrative wildlife
tourism industry has grown in-step with visitor numbers.
But critics say cash often trumps animal welfare at many attractions.
For a price, visitors can ride and bathe with elephants, hold monkeys and
pose for selfies with tigers.
Animal rights groups have long criticised the industry, with chained up
animals kept in small quarters with inadequate veterinary care, or forced to
perform tricks for tourists.
BSS/AFP/FI/ 1546 hrs