A monk forcefully pulling on a Tiger Temple tiger's tail
The Tiger Temple, in Kanchanaburi Province, Thailand, is a popular tourist destination, advertised as a monastic tiger sanctuary where visitors are able to have their photographs taken with free-roaming tigers as holiday souvenirs. Many tour operators run day trips to the Tiger Temple Thailand, and depending on the size of your 'donation' (up to 4500 Thai Baht is required), tourists can experience different activities with the tigers, from feeding tiger cubs to attending tiger exercise sessions.
However, all is not what it seems where the Tiger Temple Thailand, is concerned...
A recent report by Care for the Wild International, a widely known and respected wildlife and conservation organisation, revealed a shocking catalogue of tiger abuse there:
"It is clear that the Tiger Temple is not a sanctuary for tiger cubs rescued from poachers, but a commercial tiger breeding centre."
"The tigers are poorly housed and badly maltreated to make them compliant and perform for visitors."
"...puts the tigers at serious risk of malnutrition."
"...twisting the tigers noses...pulling ears and whiskers...tail twisting and dragging the whole animal around by tail in order to get tigers to move to a desired position...kicking and kneeing the tigers' flanks."
The Care for the Wild report, along with numerous photographs and videos of Tiger Temple abuse were previously spread across the internet, discussed in forums and on social networking sites throughout the world. However, there was no one website where a potential tourist could go to see a collection of photographic and video evidence of the abuse at the Tiger Temple, alongside the testimonials and reports of tourists and ex-volunteers.
The independent website, http://www.tigertempletruths.org was established by a group of individuals within wildlife conservation circles, to provide information on the abuse, illegal trading and animal welfare issues at the Tiger Temple. Statements made on the website are supported by photographic and video evidence, in order to educate and inform the public about these issues.
David Hargreaves, online spokesperson for TigerTempleTruths.org, said the website was an invaluable educational tool.
“With over 54,000 hits on the website within one week, it’s clear that there is a great deal of interest in the Tiger Temple and the negative issues surrounding it. We aim to educate and inform potential visitors to the temple of the abuses which take place there.
“Feedback received from the public indicates that we are already having an impact on tourists who were formerly considering visiting the temple – since the website’s launch in January 2010, we have received numerous testimonials and reports from volunteers and tourists, letting us know of their negative experiences of the Tiger Temple, and thanking us for publicising our information.”
“As awareness of the http://www.tigertempletruths.org website increases, we hope the public outcry against the abuse will be heard throughout the world.”
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
