Thailand's infamous tiger temple fights to keep big cats
<p>Thailand's controversial Tiger Temple, dogged for years by talk that it supplies the black market and mistreats its animals, is fighting to keep the big cats after wildlife authorities rejected a bid to extend a zoo license that expired in 2013.</p>
<p>The Buddhist temple, home to more than 100 tigers, has been investigated for suspected links to wildlife trafficking and wildlife activists have accused it of illegal breeding of the animals</p>
<p>Thai wildlife authorities have sent ten of the temple's tigers to a wildlife sanctuary.</p>
<p>But the temple, which bills itself as a wildlife sanctuary, has denied links to illegal trafficking, and wants to hold on to its tigers.</p>
<p>"This is their home. They are happy here," said Supitpong Pakdijarung, an official of the foundation that runs Wat Pa Luang Ta Bua, as the temple is known in Thailand.</p>
<p>"The government has to find a budget to take care of them," Supitpong, the body's deputy chairman, told Reuters. "Here, the money comes from donations. It is about giving and generosity."</p>
<p>Supitpong denies accusations that tigers bred at the temple have been sold on the black market.</p>
<p>But the allegations of mistreatment of tigers had dented Thailand's tourism image, said Teunchai Noochdumrong, director of the country's Wildlife Conservation Office.</p>
<p>"The world is looking at us," he added. "The temple did not allow officials to enforce the law. The temple has affected Thai tourism."</p>
<p>In the past, attempts by wildlife officials to inspect the tigers have been blocked by the temple and its abbots.</p>
<p>Thailand has long been a hub for illegal wildlife trafficking, as a place where everything from exotic birds to reptiles, and even bears, is for sale, driven by international demand for exotic meats and rare pets.</p>
<p>Successive governments have launched campaigns to curb the trade in illegal wildlife, but with varying degrees of success.</p>
<p>One visitor to the temple said the tigers should be left there, rather than being confiscated.</p>
<p>"These animals are used to being around people," said Victoria Carpenter, an American tourist</p>
<p><em>Image credit: KAMONRAT / Shutterstock</em></p>
<p><em>Written by Jutarat Skulpichetrat. First appeared on <span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span>.</em></p>
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