Dragging their feet over the Tiger Temple?

[wilko]

The Tiger Temple at Kanchanaburi appears to be operating in a murky quasi-legal haze that no-one is willing to untangle - why?

It was officially closed or taken over by the authorities about 6 years ago, but is still operating today and is still run by alleged monks

It is alleged to have illegal breeding program.

DNA test results to ascertain the lineage of the animals and confirm that no interbreeding has taken place have not been publicized.

Currently the place is shambolic a mish-mash of dirt an partly built or abandoned building projects
The temple frequently cites the lack of finance for the delay in proposed building, yet they appear to continue to breed tigers that require upkeep and allegedly have insufficient housing.

Many question or claim as a myth the story of how the tiger keeping began.

Any claims to having conservation aims are not born out by any conventional principles or animal husbandry or conservation.

There are claims that the animals are still poorly housed – cages are said to be small, unclean and kept out of sight of the visitors.

They have repeatedly claimed to be building a new - but probably too small - enclosure but after about 8 years they haven't finished it.

They have registered the land next door as a Zoo – but the Temple is not.

So, how long can this establishment bee allowed to continue untouched by concerns of animal welfare organisations, conservationists and the Thai authorities?

[wilko]

Last year saw 2 major international conferences on the fate of the Tiger. One conference was held in Thailand.
Thailand is one of the VERY FEW countries left in the world that can boast a wild tiger population, yet their words and deeds to support this most endangered of animals is a resounding NIL!, Nothing Nada!

One can't even say that they talked the talk let alone walked the walk - this animal is not just a "pretty thing to have around" - as the apex of the food chain it is an indicator of the health of OUR own environment - and now it has to be said it's also an indicator of Thailand's commitment to the future of the environment - it makes you want to weep!

if you need further evidence of Thailand's appalling record on animal welfare and conservation - check out this report on the roof-top zoo by Al Jazeera.

http://english.aljazeera.net/video/asia ... 36675.html

the fact that a "vet" can be found who seriously tries to justify the conditions the animals are kept in shows how profoundly out of touch Thailand is with modern thinking on welfare and conservation.