Illegal Tiger Trafficing and Animal Cruetly at the Tiger Temple

15

National Geographic carried the story, too. The link story is here

Most of the evidence in the report is eye witness reports from volunteers who, among other things, witnessed the arrival of new cubs from a tiger farm in Laos and unexplained disappearances of older tigers.

The pictures aren't useful. A significant number of eye witness reports is something to pay attention to.

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16

I'm not at all surprised by the cowardly personal attacks and profanity by some on this thread.

This article is NOT about the possible drugging of the tigers. It's about something more serious - illegal trade in a endangered species, physical and mental abuse and visitor's safety. All three of these accusations are serious and any one of them should be enough to cause a public out-cry.

Do you honestly think that The Care for the Wild International would risk possible legal action taken against them if they are reporting falsehoods? Something like that could damage their reputation beyond repair... not to mention a possible law suit that could ensue. They have the evidence.

I suggest downloading the PDF file and reading it carefully.

If the temple really cared about protecting this incredibly beautiful wild animal, they should put some of their massive profit into protecting the tiger's habitat.

17

"instill fear? " - what the hell are you talking about? that IS cruelty!

It is not just whether there is cruelty or not....the very idea of making a "showcase" out of these animals is against every conceivable concept of animal husbandry and wildlife conservation.......the entire concept is flawed and is propped up by corruption and fraud........how anyone with any knowledge of wildlife could say one word condoning this plac is quite beyond me and a terrible reflection upon the ignorance of that person.

G'day!

18

My beef starts with the fact that it is improper behavior for monks to keep animals in the first place. Then comes the fact that it is improper for monks to operate a business or any undertaking for the purpose of generating income.

And everything appears to go downhill from there with the apparent illegal animal trade, etc. leading to all this bad press. That's why monks aren't supposed to be involved in anything other than practicing the Dhamma, because it can lead to this sort of acrimony towards them, their temple and the religion.

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19

Recently their was a program on thai t.v. about the temple, seemed like a great place :) Who has'nt pissed on a dog.. I mean come on,, just cuz they put the piss in a bottle, it's just more polite.

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I was going to have a go at Tess21 but what is the point ...totally beyond the pale.

G'day!

21

what is the point of the urine in the bottles?

22

firstly most animals have strong scents in urine and this carries messages of territroy and ID - hence dogs pissing on lamp-posts...I guess the squirting either confuses or subues the animal...

secondly it was a song by Sting, and you wouldn't want to be reminded of him, would you?

G'day!

23

follow this with "taking the piss, you wouldn't want me to piss on your parade...one in your eye"...... etc

G'day!

24

If anybody believes subjecting tigers daily to constant streams of strangers, staff hitting and dragging them by their tails and making them pose in the sun during the hottest part of the day is alright and helps to preserve the species, there is something wrong with OUR society. These animals are unable to display natural behaviours, they are controlled by fear. No they probably couldn't get the tigers to pose if they didn't dominate them physically and psychologically from small cubs but does that mean it is right? Would you really want to have photos with the tigers if you saw them being beaten in their cages to coerce them to obey later commands? They shouldn't have to be subjected to constant physical and psychological abuse from humans, to make them compliant and pose for photos with tourists who are only thinking of themselves and the experience they are getting. Forgetting these are wild animals the need to have space to roam. Attitudes about animal behaviour and training have change over the years and this so-called temple, is using arciac methods to train their animals.

They are giving the general public the wrong idea about conservation. Do we really believe the Thai Govt will allow the temple to legally or illegally release tigers into the wild. It will not happen. What sub-species are these tigers? Are they hybrids? No one knows, they therefore have no conservation merit. Also there are many Hill Tribe people living in and around the National Parks in Thailand. How will it look to the world when tigers that are conditioned to people, are released and then kill Hill Tribe people who have lived the area for generations.

Since when has illegal trade of tigers helped conservation. Where have the tigers that were born at the temple gone after they ended up in Laos. My bet is they are now being sold and consumed as Traditional Chinese Medicine in the form of tiger wine. CWI is an international animal welfare and conservation organisation. They are not in the habit of making allegations where there is no need. They help legitimate sanctuaries and speak for the animals that have no voice. The temple has done a good job at convincing people they are legitimate. Listen to all the sheep on this thread.

25

who has'nt had a golden shower now and then, i'm sure the tigers love it.

The tradition of monks and tigers i believe goes back to an ancient monk/sadhu who kept a tiger by his side, who he claimed was a vegetarian tiger living off of milk and rice. The sadhu traveled northern india/pakistan/afghanistan area.. from Paramahansa Yogananda's first book. Paramahansa also encountered other people who lived off air and other impossibilities.

26

Tigers cannot be vegetarians. They need meat to get the essential nutrients they need for good eyesight and healthy bones.

27

The urine was obviously used to show whose dominant to the tiger. With so many tigers in such small area the keepers must established some kind of order. I believe this is a trick used by circus trainers as well.

Op, you fancy cathugger, you need to do more thorough research before you post this tripe. How can you even prove that this "tiger trade" exists?and where is this "tiger farm" in Laos? You would be more believable if you can actually give us the location of this place.

28

Stephen Colbert,

Have you read the report? Did you not see the original tiger trade contract and the English transation. Do you think CWI is into falsifying documents?

29

Well, I'm not going to download some file from some left-wing nuts. Why don't you post it.