Tiger Temple Monks Protest the Rescue of Illegal Bears

[Jacob Maslow]

Once again, the Tiger Temple is making headlines. Wildlife officials made an attempt to rescue six black bears from cages in the temple. Officials were stopped by about 100 monks and disciples. The group blocked the gates to prevent the officials from leaving the property. The black bears are said to have been illegally possessed by the temple.

About 70 police, military officers, veterinarians and DNP (Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation) officials raided the temple on Thursday. Armed with a warrant, the team examined the bears they discovered in cages just one day earlier.

The temple failed to provide official documentation for the bears. The temple staff refused to open the cages that were housing the illegal bears. Officials shot the bears with anesthetic darts and used cutting tools to open the cages.

The temple’s abbot, Phra Vissuthisaradhera, then led a group of about 100 monks, disciples and staff to the main gate, preventing officials from leaving. The standoff continued until 1 am, and several people joined the monks in the protest. Officials sought to mediate the situation, but were unable to come to a resolution. There is still no word as to whether the bears were rescued or remained at the temple.

-- 2015-04-03

[cumgranosalum]

Nice temple...where is that then?

[fish fingers]

My opinion of Monks in Thailand has dropped massively over the last couple of years.

It seems if you get up to something criminal, you become a monk, or in this case its the other way round.

My wife was also explaining how its also quite profitable being a monk.

You see them shopping at Central and other posh shopping Malls too. That surely isn't what the monkshood is about?

[LuckyLew]

Another day in Thailand and another story of monks up to illegal activities

[xen]

Maybe those bears were monks in a previous life and are now getting their " Khama ration " just like these monks at the temple will get theirs in the next lifetime. Mai pen rai.

[LennyW]

What is the relevance of the picture in the story?

[55Jay]

What is the relevance of the picture in the story?

Open the photo and see the file name down the bottom left has the word "tiger" in it. That's about as relevant as it gets for a "staff writer" based in Hong Kong with a content quota on various contracts.

Highlight that file name, Google image search, and there 's this temple in Bhutan. Not too far away .

Edited April 5, 2015 by 55Jay