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Thailand’s Tiger Temple raided for suspected wildlife trafficking; tigers impounded

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Thai officials have raided a Buddhist temple that is home to more than 100 tigers.

They are investigating suspected links to wildlife trafficking, authorities said on Thursday (Feb 5).

Wat Pa Luang Ta Bua, or Tiger Temple, in Thailand’s western Kanchanaburi province, is popular with tourists who pet, cuddle and pose for selfies with the big cats.

The temple has been dogged for years by talk of links to wildlife trafficking and its maltreatment of tigers.

A Thai official said at least 100 tigers have been impounded in raids this week and were being kept at the temple until authorities wind up their investigations.

Thirty-eight hornbills, a bird species, were also seized.

Official permits

“We’re checking if the temple had official permits to keep them,” said Cherdchai Charipanya, director of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment in the province of Ratchaburi.

The temple bills itself as an animal sanctuary and tiger-breeding facility, and its abbot has denied animal cruelty and illegal trafficking.

Ms Kanitha Krishnasamy, programme manager for Southeast Asia at TRAFFIC, a wildlife trade monitoring network, urged authorities to look into the origin of the seized hornbills and tigers and to pursue legal action. 

She said: “We hope the investigations don’t end with the seizure of wildlife, but results in legal action and a deterrent punishment for offenders.”

Source: Reuters

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