BANGKOK: 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 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. A raid that began on Monday is the latest move in a tug-of-war since 2001 to bring the tigers under state control.
Tiger parts are used in traditional Chinese medicine.
The 40 dead tiger cubs were found in a freezer in a kitchen area, said Adisorn Nuchdamrong, deputy director-general of the Department of National Parks.
"They must be of some value for the temple to keep them," he said. "But for what is beyond me."
Monks at the temple were not immediately available for comment.
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.
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. A raid that began on Monday is the latest move in a tug-of-war since 2001 to bring the tigers under state control.
The 40 dead tiger cubs were found in a freezer in a kitchen area, said Adisorn Nuchdamrong, deputy director-general of the Department of National Parks.
Advertisement
Monks at the temple were not immediately available for comment.
Advertisement
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.
Advertisement
© Thomson Reuters 2016
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Thai Temple Tigers With Serious Symptoms To Be Operated: Doctors Scores Of Tigers Rescued From Infamous Thai Temple Have Died: Report Unending Horror: Authorities Discover Tiger Slaughterhouse At Thai Temple In Massive Row Over Karnataka 100% Quota Bill, Chief Minister Deletes Post "I Divorce You... Your Ex-Wife": Dubai Princess Dumps Husband In Insta Post 25,000 Aspirants For Jobs Paying Rs 22,000: A Mumbai Stampede Scare How A Small-Town Kannadiga Brought India Its 1st Miss Universe Petite Crown The History Of Railway Budget And Why It Was Demerged From Union Budget Video: Rajasthan Teachers Caught Dictating Answers During Board Exams Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.