The Tiger Temple
When petting a tiger, you wouldn’t get out in one piece. Luckily, there’s one place where you can do just that without getting harmed. Thailand’s Tiger Temple is the place where you can meet some friendly tigers, shake hands, pet them or rub their bellies. 2 hours drive from Bangkok in the Kanchanaburi province, the Tiger Temple has been taking care of tigers singe 1999. Monks are taken care of the animals rescued from poachers, having around 17 fully grown tigers and cubs housed within the temple grounds.
More info on wikipedia
Filed under: Documentary on April 15th, 2008
I’ve been there, it was pretty obvious to me the tigers were drugged and sick from living in tiny cages at night (which I saw). The image purveyed of ‘helpful monks’ saving tigers from extinction could not be further from the truth. Would not recommend those who like to see animals live purposeful lives.
Considering this animal’s purposeful life would include eating/mauling etc, I for one say if you want to keep them near you, drug them if that’s what it takes - unless you bring them up all Gandhian-like.
They are definately drugged. But thats cool. I bet they are loving it!!! Like, yo man, scratch my ear again.
[…] Source: Green Expander […]
the first comment says it all - the next ones seem to be from typically stupid americans who think nature owes them a living…
I agree.
The truth is that the Tigers the public meet are a select few (the older Tigers, first brought to the monestry) who are used to people and cannot be re-introduced to the wild.
There is a breeding program there and newly born cubs are not seen by the public for exactly this reason.
When you meet them they have already been well fed and you are only allowed to approach them in a particular way as not to startle them. You have to follow the instructions given by the handlers and it is anotherf handler who takes the picture with your own camera.
And if you’ve been there and read anything about what they are doing there you would already know this.
I am an American living abroad. Sadly, it becomes harder and harder for me to defend the arrogance (and ignorance) of my fellow Americans. I find it sad that many animals living in captivity do not have happy lives, although it isn’t really my place to judge or criticize what happens in other countries.
I am living in Manila and am seriously thinking of taking the 4 hour flight to Thailand to see this.
Thanks for the awesome post!
man alive, it didn’t take long for some unoriginal nitwit to start the “i hate america” party. go away dirty flame troll and next time, please try to think about what broad, sweeping generalisations HAVEN’T been so overdone.
really, you’re no better.
have a fucking nice day!
alri rob, im in manila aswell where r u.
i came across this looking for something meaningful and let me just say… i think the face that they’re not being killed by poachers is pretty good… i believe it said that they were saved from them didnt it? oh right, it did… so if they had just let them be then… OH! they’d be dead! so maybe they’re there for a reason? and i dunno about you but if you really think hard about it, it wouldnt make much sense to throw them right back into that would it? I know I would love to visit, even if it was just to watch them!
All this fighting over tigers and ethics… if you’re all gonna talk so big maybe you should get off your asses and DO something… just my opinion…. and YES i do a lot as a matter of fact, why would I bring that up and not do anything myself? its just nonsensical!
and i dont mean give a few dollars here and there ladies and gentlemen….. so dont try and bash on me like you do eachother (thats pathetic). why dont you just do something to help them rather than sit here and argue over incredbly vain and stupid things? in this instance your actions would speak more truth than your words!
boo- yah bitches…..
go save a rainforest or something…
PSK <3
Make an informed decision- Read the report supported by conservationists around the world
Tiger Temple- Illegal Wildlife Trafficking, Animal Cruelty and Tourist Safety Risks
Download report here:
http://www.careforthewild.com/projects.asp?detail=true&I_ID=580&mypage=Reports
Video footage on YouTube:
Tiger Temple/ Animal Cruelty -1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl54RliBgGc
Tiger Temple/ Animal Cruelty, Moving with Force- 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41izUzo25u4
Tiger Temple/ Aggressive Tigers - 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpLFmE9LReA
Tiger Temple/ Injured Tiger- 4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEZhHo-ESXE
Tiger Temple/ Restrained for Photo-taking- 5
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5G0GhDwMrFw
Tiger Temple/ Visitor Safety Risks- 6
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCg0Lpwbt3w
Tiger Temple/ Enclosures- 7
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OTxOzbL7uqs