Police raid at Tiger Temple, Kanchanaburi

More than 100 tigers and protected bird species have been seized by the authorities at Wat Pa Luang Ta Bua, better known as the Tiger Temple in the province of Kanchanaburi. The police and Thai army operation followed complaints saying the temple is involved in illegal wildlife trade.

On Tuesday, the police presented a search warrant to a temple worker who refused to sign it, saying that he had no authority to do it and that the head monk of the temple was in Bangkok for treatment. After this refusal, the authorities decided to enter the temple and begin to search it.

They seized 38 hornbills and more than 100 tigers. The authorities also tried in vain to find two rare wolves that were previously caged in front of the temple.

All hornbills and other protected birds will be sent to the research station on the wildlife of Khao Pratap Chang in Ratchaburi for nursery.

Chatchai Sripaew, poaching enforcement officer, confirmed that all birds in the temple are protected species and that anyone raising these birds must have permit delivered by the authorities. This was not the case of Tiger Temple. He also said that the search and seizure made this morning was in response to complaints claiming the temple was engaged in illegal wildlife trade.

The 100 tigers present in the temple were impounded for recording, the time to check if the temple had official documents authorizing it to raise them. The authorities continue to try to find the two missing wolves and will ask the temple toclarify the circumstances of their disappearance.

This did not start yesterday, the Tiger Temple in Kanachanaburi province has bad reputation for long. It was suspected of animal abuse and animal traffic trade with Laos. That is why on Thailandee.com, we decided not to mention among the temple among the attractions in Kanchanaburi.

We will see what the result of the investigation will be…