Bodies of 40 tiger cubs found in Thai temple freezer amid trafficking fears

Thai wildlife authorities found 40 tiger cub carcasses in a freezer in Thailand’s infamous Tiger Temple on Wednesday as they removed live animals in response to international pressure over suspected trafficking and abuse. The corpses were in a freezer in a kitchen area, said Adisorn Nuchdamrong, deputy director-general of the Department of National Parks. The Buddhist temple in Kanchanaburi province west of Bangkok had become a tourist destination where visitors snapped selfies with bottle-fed cubs. But the temple has been investigated for suspected links to wildlife trafficking and abuse.

They must be of some value for the temple to keep them. But for what is beyond me.

Adisorn Nuchdamrong,  of the Department of National Parks

Officials have moved 52 live tigers from the temple since Monday, Adisorn said, leaving 85 still there. Thailand has long been a hub for the illicit trafficking of wildlife and forest products, including ivory. Exotic birds, mammals and reptiles, some of them endangered species, can often be found on sale in markets. On Tuesday, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals group said the temple was “hell for animals” and called on tourists to stop visiting animal attractions at home and abroad.

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