Koh Samui Rainforest 2

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dom01
dom01

Hi,

I have recently returned from a trip to Koh Samui and i wish to let everyone know about a zoo i found on the island that i recommend you don't go to.

My partner and I promised ourselves that we would never visit a place like this when we were in Thailand.

The zoo is at rainforest 2 on Koh Samui, I wanted to get my photos taken with a tiger so we ventured out there not knowing what we would encounter.
We thought something was wrong as soon as the entry price went up when we showed our cash, but we decided to pay as it was only a few extra dollars when we converted it back to Aust. dollar and i didn't want to pass up the opportunity to have a picture taken with a tiger

When we entered the zoo, I was appalled at the conditions of the animals were in.
We saw 2 cheetah cubs that were in a cage no bigger than a 2 metres square off the ground, these little cubs couldn't run and play as they were cramped in a wire cage.
We also saw a monkey tied to a tree when i approached him all he did was take two steps and then a back flip and as long as i stayed there the monkey would continue to do this.
Next i saw the tigers (such beautiful creatures) these cubs were at least teenagers and very playful. We didn't get a good vibe from them at all. The tiger was on a lead and when he walked past my partner the tiger tried to grab his ankle, that was it, i wasn't going to have my photo taken with them. We saw monkeys tied up in cages that weren't in good condition.
We also saw elephants there, it appeared the ropes around the elephants legs were rubbing and sore.

I have emailed Wildlife warriors & the gibbon foundation in thailand, wanting anyone who can do something to go out to this zoo and try and have these animals treated.

I would strongly recommend that you don't go out to the zoo on Koh Samui. It was heartbreaking

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jefflee
jefflee

Good info about the zoo. But you WERE wanting to get your photo taken with a wild beast. How do you think they subdue an animal to the extent that it agrees to sit safely beside you?

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stromaroma
stromaroma

I have to agree with no. 1, these places prey on gullible tourists like you. You should have researched the place better before forking over money. Anyone knows that zoos outside of the 1st world are more likely than not going to be sad sad places, and many within the 1st world are too.

Tigers are one of only 3 animals in the world that actively hunt and eat people - along with polar bears and crocodiles. Anyone who wants to have their picture taken beside a tiger seriously needs to question what kind of treatment that animal has had to make it so docile. Tigers by definition kill people.

(spoken by someone with 20 years experience in zoos and aquariums)

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doza
doza

"i didn't want to pass up the opportunity to have a picture taken with a tiger"

Classic. This is what my friends say when I ask them to seriously think about the ethics of visiting the "Tiger Temple" in Kanchan. At the end of the day, they just can't pass it up and their desires will almost always overcome their concern for the animal. They kind of know its wrong, but if the cages kind of look ok, and the "Zoo" can spin a good story about rescue an rehab etc etc to ease their conscience, then they'll do it.

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kevinrayner
kevinrayner

Interesting that you can substitute prisoner in Bang Kwan for tiger or zoo and you have the same smugness.

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doza
doza

Me, Bang Kwang? Don't think so....

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girllrig
girllrig

They kind of know its wrong, but if the cages kind of look ok, and the "Zoo" can spin a good story about rescue an rehab etc etc to ease their conscience, then they'll do it.

rrrrg that makes me mad. like the stupid people that go pet and feed the baby elephants in patpong or on khao san road.

though i have to admit, i got my picture with the tigers in kanchanaburi too.

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beerlao
beerlao

a zoo is a prison for wildlife. some of these prisons are maximum security for the really bad inmates. other zoos are more upscale for the prettier inmates. regardless, they're still prisons and no amount of 'beautification' will change that. when you visit a prison, expect to see a prison.

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dom01
dom01

Like many travellers to Thailand it was my first time travelling outside Australia and I wasn't sure what to expect or experience.

I thought I researched as much as i thought was possible on Koh Samui and other places we were visiting, considering it's a small island we didn't think there was much to do except for relaxation and that was the main reason for us going there.

Besides warning other travellers about this zoo , and trying to contact the appropriate authorites in Thailand i'm not sure what else i can do.

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khunwilko
khunwilko

When will people learn? Thailand plus wildlife = abuse

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