Tiger's Death Accidental: Temple Vet

Lite Beer · June 2, 2012

Tiger's death accidental: temple vet

The Nation on Sunday

KANCHANABURI: -- The veterinarian at the "Tiger Temple" - Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua, in Kanchanaburi's Sai Yok district - said yesterday that the death of a tiger on May 26 resulted from a freak accident, but the temple treated its tigers well and cooperated with Thai authorities.

The mysterious death of the tiger had led to fears animals at the temple were being mistreated.

Veterinarian Somchai Wisetmongkolchai said temple staff hung a tyre on a chain for tigers to play with, but next morning found the one-year-old female tiger dead with the chain around its neck. It had sustained serious neck wounds as it apparently tried to chew the chain off its neck.

Somchai checked and photographed the wounds, alerted the National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department and submitted a report on the tiger's death to the Conservation Area 3 Office (Ban Pong). Authorities came to inspect the death as per normal procedure, he said.

Insisting the tigers were well taken care of and that each tiger had a microchip implanted and registered with the department, he said a Mahidol University (Sai Yok) vet checked on the tigers on a regular basis. He had suggested the department stuff the tiger carcass for educational purposes, rather than burn it, he said.

Conservation Area 3 Office (Ban Pong) director Yutthachai Pattamasonthi said the department instructed his office to work with the Tiger Temple to examine the carcass for the cause of death at the Mahidol University (Sai Yok)'s livestock and wildlife hospital.

-- The Nation 2012-06-03

happynthailand · June 3, 2012

What a sad lost -rnp

noitom · June 3, 2012

The tiger got the chain looped around its own neck enough to strangle it. Each tiger is well treated and has a microchip implanted in it and "registered" in accordance with government regulations. So why is this news? Everything seems to be in order and on the up and up.

LennyW · June 3, 2012

The tiger got the chain looped around its own neck enough to strangle it. Each tiger is well treated and has a microchip implanted in it and "registered" in accordance with government regulations. So why is this news? Everything seems to be in order and on the up and up.

No doubt just to get the first word / facts in, as every time the Tiger Temple is mentioned the Tree Hugger brigade appear en-masse to condemn the place!

MaiDong · June 3, 2012

But doesn't it almost seem impossible that a tiger can choke itself on a hanging tyre & chain?

Brings back memories of that poor Italian man found 'hanging' from Rama 8 bridge!

But on a serious note, I didn't think large cats hand a penchant for swings?

jaltsc · June 3, 2012

"He had suggested the department stuff the tiger carcass for educational purposes... "

What educational purposes can a stuffed tiger serve? Maybe, "This is what happens when you take a tiger out of its natural environment, place it in captivity to help get donations"...or "If you are fortunate enough to capture, kill and stuff a tiger, you can sell it overseas as a house decoration".

I am sure enough tirgers are killed and die in their natural environment. They don't need humans to help the process. Let them live as they were meant to live, free and at the mercy of nature.

Suradit69 · June 3, 2012

Let them live as they were meant to live, free and at the mercy of nature.

...and at the mercy of nature and poachers.

supaprik · June 3, 2012

"He had suggested the department stuff the tiger carcass for educational purposes... "

What educational purposes can a stuffed tiger serve? Maybe, "This is what happens when you take a tiger out of its natural environment, place it in captivity to help get donations"...or "If you are fortunate enough to capture, kill and stuff a tiger, you can sell it overseas as a house decoration".

I am sure enough tigers are killed and die in their natural environment. They don't need humans to help the process. Let them live as they were meant to live, free and at the mercy of nature.

Sadly to be released and allowed to "let them live free" would mean a certain death sentence in the wild's of Thailand. Some people here consider it their birth right to maim and or kill anything of beauty that moves free.....sad but history tells us this

Edited June 3, 2012 by supaprik

jaltsc · June 3, 2012

Let them live as they were meant to live, free and at the mercy of nature.

...and at the mercy of nature and poachers.

Just wishful thinking on my part.

jaltsc · June 3, 2012

"He had suggested the department stuff the tiger carcass for educational purposes... "

What educational purposes can a stuffed tiger serve? Maybe, "This is what happens when you take a tiger out of its natural environment, place it in captivity to help get donations"...or "If you are fortunate enough to capture, kill and stuff a tiger, you can sell it overseas as a house decoration".

I am sure enough tigers are killed and die in their natural environment. They don't need humans to help the process. Let them live as they were meant to live, free and at the mercy of nature.

Sadly to be released and allowed to "let them live free" would mean a certain death sentence in the wild's of Thailand. Some people here consider it their birth right to maim and or kill anything of beauty that moves free.....sad but history tells us this

That was my fantasy of the day.

theajarn · June 3, 2012

It was Tiger-suicide.

TinoThailand · June 3, 2012

Its all ready proven that the Tigers in the Temple in Kanchanburi are abused a lot. They get beaten, sprayed in ther faces with ther own urine and live between bars. Only when people like us pay money they get out. It's also a lie that they say they are saved out of the hands of people who try to sell them or kill them for medicine or amulettes or whatever.

It's all proven by Care for the Wild International (CWI).

And it took them 2 years to spy things out so no guessing here.

Edited June 3, 2012 by TinoThailand

TinoThailand · June 3, 2012

"He had suggested the department stuff the tiger carcass for educational purposes... "

What educational purposes can a stuffed tiger serve? Maybe, "This is what happens when you take a tiger out of its natural environment, place it in captivity to help get donations"...or "If you are fortunate enough to capture, kill and stuff a tiger, you can sell it overseas as a house decoration".

I am sure enough tigers are killed and die in their natural environment. They don't need humans to help the process. Let them live as they were meant to live, free and at the mercy of nature.

Sadly to be released and allowed to "let them live free" would mean a certain death sentence in the wild's of Thailand. Some people here consider it their birth right to maim and or kill anything of beauty that moves free.....sad but history tells us this

That was my fantasy of the day.

They can live perfectly in wildlife reservoirs where they can have a normal old day without abuse. Problem solved!

Edited June 3, 2012 by TinoThailand

MikeThaison · June 3, 2012

The tiger got the chain looped around its own neck enough to strangle it. Each tiger is well treated and has a microchip implanted in it and "registered" in accordance with government regulations. So why is this news? Everything seems to be in order and on the up and up.

No doubt just to get the first word / facts in, as every time the Tiger Temple is mentioned the Tree Hugger brigade appear en-masse to condemn the place!

Could not agree more! Bastards only have one report they all point to that is over 5 years old. . . Tiger Temple is what it is, never started out as a tourist trap, but after Animal Planet featured it, WOW did it turn into one. . . If I had to be a monk, I would want somewhere to hang around pussies too

how241 · June 3, 2012

Let them live as they were meant to live, free and at the mercy of nature.

...and at the mercy of nature and poachers.

Unfortunately TRUE.

TinoThailand · June 3, 2012

The tiger got the chain looped around its own neck enough to strangle it. Each tiger is well treated and has a microchip implanted in it and "registered" in accordance with government regulations. So why is this news? Everything seems to be in order and on the up and up.

No doubt just to get the first word / facts in, as every time the Tiger Temple is mentioned the Tree Hugger brigade appear en-masse to condemn the place!

Could not agree more! Bastards only have one report they all point to that is over 5 years old. . . Tiger Temple is what it is, never started out as a tourist trap, but after Animal Planet featured it, WOW did it turn into one. . . If I had to be a monk, I would want somewhere to hang around pussies too

Yea cool joke man... make a lot of sense

MEL1 · June 3, 2012

I heard down the grapevine that this individual was found at the foot of a ten storey block in Pattaya and quickly moved, so as to not allure more tigers to the vicinity. Once removed, a chain was alledgly found around it's neck in its new abode at the temple.

Also, apparently, by the other media sources, this tiger was alledgly a rare Russian Siberian breed, if that's at all possible, and know for its deadly drug-induced bite after consuming rare leaves of a sort, and snorting them with Tigresses.

It's a shame for the tiger, but a wake up call for the Siberian crew that removed its <deleted> before hanging it.

-mel.

MikeOboe57 · June 3, 2012

They can live perfectly in wildlife reservoirs where they can have a normal old day without abuse. Problem solved!

You have no clue. None of these tigers "can live perfectly" in wildlife reservoirs and have a "normal old day". It would take long term and costly training by specialists to adjust them to a life outside the temple. And once the first water buffalo is taken down by one of those tigers having "a normal old day", then they will be hunted down mercilessly.

But of course Thailand has vast uninhabited areas with abundand wildlife which can be turned into wildlife reservoirs so every tiger can occupy its own territory and live happily everafter.

Any poacher would also welcome this idea because these tigers will be easy prey as they are used to human beings. Within 6 months they will all be turned into "traditional chinese medicine".

Care for the Wild? Utter bxllxx, it's complete disregard for the sake of an ideology.

And finally: Try to spray a domestic cat in the face with its own urine. Hint: It is not encouraging docile behaviour. And now imagine doing the same with a grown up tiger.

BrianCR · June 3, 2012

"He had suggested the department stuff the tiger carcass for educational purposes... "

What educational purposes can a stuffed tiger serve? Maybe, "This is what happens when you take a tiger out of its natural environment, place it in captivity to help get donations"...or "If you are fortunate enough to capture, kill and stuff a tiger, you can sell it overseas as a house decoration".

I am sure enough tirgers are killed and die in their natural environment. They don't need humans to help the process. Let them live as they were meant to live, free and at the mercy of nature.

You mean at the mercy of human beings I guess!

BrianCR · June 3, 2012

"He had suggested the department stuff the tiger carcass for educational purposes... "

What educational purposes can a stuffed tiger serve? Maybe, "This is what happens when you take a tiger out of its natural environment, place it in captivity to help get donations"...or "If you are fortunate enough to capture, kill and stuff a tiger, you can sell it overseas as a house decoration".

I am sure enough tigers are killed and die in their natural environment. They don't need humans to help the process. Let them live as they were meant to live, free and at the mercy of nature.

Sadly to be released and allowed to "let them live free" would mean a certain death sentence in the wild's of Thailand. Some people here consider it their birth right to maim and or kill anything of beauty that moves free.....sad but history tells us this

Why pick on Thailand? This applies to most countries and most animals, many of whom have never set foot in Thailand. I guess Thai's went overseas to kill them? Sounds racist to me!!!

allan michaud · June 3, 2012

"He had suggested the department stuff the tiger carcass for educational purposes... "

What educational purposes can a stuffed tiger serve? Maybe, "This is what happens when you take a tiger out of its natural environment, place it in captivity to help get donations"...or "If you are fortunate enough to capture, kill and stuff a tiger, you can sell it overseas as a house decoration".

I am sure enough tigers are killed and die in their natural environment. They don't need humans to help the process. Let them live as they were meant to live, free and at the mercy of nature.

Sadly to be released and allowed to "let them live free" would mean a certain death sentence in the wild's of Thailand. Some people here consider it their birth right to maim and or kill anything of beauty that moves free.....sad but history tells us this

Why pick on Thailand? This applies to most countries and most animals, many of whom have never set foot in Thailand. I guess Thai's went overseas to kill them? Sounds racist to me!!!

While I don't agree with being racist in any way I have to say, in the case of the Tiger, the loss is largely down to one nation, the Chinese. Or more specifically Chinese men with small limp dicks.

Yunla · June 3, 2012

Asian tigers are endangered and should be in segregated wildlife parks with security teams to stop poachers. They shouldn't be in temples in my opinion. Even though they are strong animals, they are no match for a rifle and they deserve to be protected. They are like kids, they are defenseless in the modern world and you seperate them from the bad people in society for their own protection. Also if managed properly, wildlife parks provide employment and tourist revenue. Tigers should be able to roam around without being hunted by greedheads. And they should be given a bowl of Frosties to cheer them up.

TinoThailand · June 3, 2012

They can live perfectly in wildlife reservoirs where they can have a normal old day without abuse. Problem solved!

You have no clue. None of these tigers "can live perfectly" in wildlife reservoirs and have a "normal old day". It would take long term and costly training by specialists to adjust them to a life outside the temple. And once the first water buffalo is taken down by one of those tigers having "a normal old day", then they will be hunted down mercilessly.

But of course Thailand has vast uninhabited areas with abundand wildlife which can be turned into wildlife reservoirs so every tiger can occupy its own territory and live happily everafter.

Any poacher would also welcome this idea because these tigers will be easy prey as they are used to human beings. Within 6 months they will all be turned into "traditional chinese medicine".

Care for the Wild? Utter bxllxx, it's complete disregard for the sake of an ideology.

And finally: Try to spray a domestic cat in the face with its own urine. Hint: It is not encouraging docile behaviour. And now imagine doing the same with a grown up tiger.

Why would I try that? I am against this kinds of abuse... There must be some guarded park where they can live better then before. You not have to tell anyone they will never be the same anymore like in the wild.

mistitikimikis · June 4, 2012

"Authorities came to inspect the death as per normal procedure, he said."

Nothing about the "pay off".

Again a Tiger Temple shame!

supaprik · June 4, 2012

"He had suggested the department stuff the tiger carcass for educational purposes... "

What educational purposes can a stuffed tiger serve? Maybe, "This is what happens when you take a tiger out of its natural environment, place it in captivity to help get donations"...or "If you are fortunate enough to capture, kill and stuff a tiger, you can sell it overseas as a house decoration".

I am sure enough tigers are killed and die in their natural environment. They don't need humans to help the process. Let them live as they were meant to live, free and at the mercy of nature.

Sadly to be released and allowed to "let them live free" would mean a certain death sentence in the wild's of Thailand. Some people here consider it their birth right to maim and or kill anything of beauty that moves free.....sad but history tells us this

That was my fantasy of the day.

They can live perfectly in wildlife reservoirs where they can have a normal old day without abuse. Problem solved!

Tigers are good swimmers but I think they would prefer land... I may add there is no such thing as wildlife reserves that are safe in Thailand...

tw25rw · June 4, 2012

Its all ready proven that the Tigers in the Temple in Kanchanburi are abused a lot. They get beaten, sprayed in ther faces with ther own urine and live between bars. Only when people like us pay money they get out. It's also a lie that they say they are saved out of the hands of people who try to sell them or kill them for medicine or amulettes or whatever.

It's all proven by Care for the Wild International (CWI).

And it took them 2 years to spy things out so no guessing here.

It's my belief that CWI aren't a legitimate animal charity.. They might hand over some of the money the collect to legitimate charities, but don't do any real work.

Gonsalviz · June 6, 2012

"He had suggested the department stuff the tiger carcass for educational purposes... "

What educational purposes can a stuffed tiger serve? Maybe, "This is what happens when you take a tiger out of its natural environment, place it in captivity to help get donations"...or "If you are fortunate enough to capture, kill and stuff a tiger, you can sell it overseas as a house decoration".

I am sure enough tigers are killed and die in their natural environment. They don't need humans to help the process. Let them live as they were meant to live, free and at the mercy of nature.

Sadly to be released and allowed to "let them live free" would mean a certain death sentence in the wild's of Thailand. Some people here consider it their birth right to maim and or kill anything of beauty that moves free.....sad but history tells us this

That was my fantasy of the day.

They can live perfectly in wildlife reservoirs where they can have a normal old day without abuse. Problem solved!

Where do you think the poachers operate? In the streets of Pattaya?

cowslip · August 15, 2012

Those who run the Tiger Temple are not trained in big cat husbandry - was the "chain" an appropriate toy for the tiger, was it's behaviour affected by the nature of it's captivity. The cages have already been criticised.

I also remember a vet representing the place saying he had little or no experience of big cats.

So was it a "freak" accident or the result of further incompetence by the temple?

No tiger from the temple could ever be released into the wild.

Edited August 15, 2012 by cowslip

maidu · August 15, 2012

Let them live as they were meant to live, free and at the mercy of nature.

...and at the mercy of nature and poachers.

Just wishful thinking on my part.

Understandable. In northernmost Thailand, there haven't been wild tigers for decades. Natural habitat is rare here, and it's better here than other parts of Thailand. The grim reality: there are no tracts of wild habitat wild enough or safe enough for large beasts, tigers or elephants. It's a failure of Thais and SE Asians to devote enough appreciation to 'wildness.'

It may not be too late for Thai politicians to start doing the right thing: to designate large tracts for national parks, instead of for Shinawatre (and other rich Thai-Chinese) housing estates.

Even with a well run protected national parks, poachers will still encroach, because the lure of Chinese money for exotic animal parts is so lucrative.

maidu · August 15, 2012

Thais don't know how to care for wild animals. They too readily treat the animals like housepets, thereby nullifying the wild traits of the animals.

At a Chiang Mai 'petting zoo', away from tourists, I saw Thai workers harassing tiger cubs. When the cubs reacted with growls, the handlers would strike them hard with chopsticks. It was their way of teaching them to be docile. Not attractive to watch.

As for strangulation: I've known of an incident in the US, where an 11 yr old died. He twisted the tire as much as he (and his friends) could. When it untwisted, the chain wrapped around his neck and he died. Another time, a connecting bolt broke, and the hardware came down and killed a little girl by cracking her skull.

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