News Digest

They’re gr-r-reat: Wildlife officials find no abuse to Buddhist temple tigers

About 50 officials from the wildlife department and local religious affairs office, along with soldiers, made a three-hour inspection on Thursday of the Luangtamahabua Buddhist temple compound, famous for its tame-looking big cats living alongside Buddhist monks. The so-called “Tiger Temple,” which is virtually a petting zoo for visitors willing to muster up some courage, had been accused of drugging the creatures to keep them tame, allegations that the monks and the veterinarian who takes care of the animals have denied. Tourists happily pet the tigers and pose for close-up photos with them, while their donations help pay for the tigers’ upkeep and improvements to the temple.

The tigers are living in quite healthy conditions. They are well taken care of.

Cherdchai Jariyapanya, director of the regional office of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation

Temples are traditional sanctuaries for stray dogs, but the presence of the tigers raised eyebrows, especially when photos showed monks riding the animals and engaging in other horseplay with them. Buddhist monks are supposed to act soberly and modestly in all aspects of their lives. They still come out at noon and play with the animals in what has come to be a show for visitors.