Most visitors to Thailand believe that the Tiger Temple is a long established caring institution staffed by monks who have a miraculous way with animals. Nothing could be further from the truth. The Tiger Temple has only been open for ten years. The first two cubs they recieved were probably genuine rescues but others have been purchased or traded illegally. The monks, or some greedy commercial backer, quickly realised that this was a gold mine.

Tigers are abused, they are drugged and illegally bred. They make no contribution to conservation whatsoever. All they are doing is fattening the purse of greed. It is not Buddhist at all!

Recently they were granted permission to operate as a zoo. This was a slap in the face for The World Tiger Coalition who wrote concerning the welfare of these unfortunate animals.

Already there is talk of conservation when the people keeping these tigers do not have a clue as to what the word actually means.

You can read more of this by visiting More on the Tiger Temple

Photo by: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahbaker/