The confiscation of the tigers is a positive step in protecting these wild animals from the inherent cruelty involved in wildlife tourism. Only the removal of tigers will stop their exploitation and ensure that no further tigers will be bred for profit at the venue.
In a shocking discovery, Thai wildlife authorities have recently uncovered dozens of dead tiger cubs and hundreds of other tiger parts at the infamous Thailand Tiger Temple.
The temple, a popular tourist attraction, has been closed to the public since Monday, May 30, when the Thai Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) began an operation to remove the tigers following allegations of illegal smuggling.
“While we already knew of the cruelty involved in exploiting these tigers for entertainment, we are deeply concerned about the discovery of the 70 dead cubs and hundreds of other tiger parts, which may confirm previous allegations of illegal wildlife trade from the temple,” said Priscilla Ma, U.S. Executive Director at World Animal Protection.
Next, read more about the disturbing discoveries found during the recent raid of the Tiger Temple
The breeding of tigers kept under these conditions serves no conservation benefit; they are bred in cruel confinement purely for profit. It’s a far cry from their natural lives in the wild.
“The lucrative business of cruelly exploiting tigers for profit must be put to an end. While we congratulate the Thai authorities for taking this definitive action to confiscate the tigers, we strongly urge them to thoroughly investigate the deaths of these cubs. We are also calling for investigations into all other tiger entertainment tourist venues,” Ma continued.
“Investigations like this could shed light on illegal wildlife trade and help to uncover the hidden cruelty at other tiger-themed tourist attractions across Thailand.”
“This must be a turning point for Thai authorities. There must be no more breeding and no more licences for exploitative tiger venues. The confiscated tigers must not be sold back to the entertainment industry. The public needs assurances that these tigers have a humane future at a government or accredited sanctuary operating to the highest possible welfare standards.”
Learn how you can help end the exploitation of tigers and other wildlife used in entertainment.
The confiscated tigers must not be sold back to the entertainment industry. The public needs assurances that these tigers have a humane future at a government or accredited sanctuary operating to the highest possible welfare standards.