In north America, linx (wild, dog-sized cats) were re-introduced from Canadian Rockies to the Rocky Mountains of western Colorado - where they had gone extinct in prior years. The operation was not easy or seamless, but it did work, owing to the dedication and professionalism of the specialists running the program. I don't think there's any plan for the Thai tigers to be re-introduced, as there's neither the willingness nor professionalism to do so. Plus, the habitat issue: an earlier post claims there is enough habitat in Thailand to support around 2,000 wild tigers, but that seems wishful. With continuing great demand from China for tiger parts, and willingness of some Thais and hill tribers to do anything for extra income, ...it's doubtful there is any habitat large and safe enough (in Thailand) for wild tigers.

There's a white rhino in Southern Sudan which not only has its horns sawed off, but has several armed guards at its side, 24/7. Similarly, the largest rosewood tree in Thailand, has an army platoon assigned to it. The army boys are camped around the tree to protect it from loggers. It's an indication of how desperate the Chinese are to decimate the last vestiges of certain wildlife species. Extermination is only a slight problem in their view. What's important (particularly now, that they have a lot of cash) is getting the most exotic/expensive items. Rosewood sells for over $50k/cubic meter. Certain rhino and tiger body parts sell for more than the price of gold.

" they abuse these animals with narcotics"

"and not drugged all day "

Does anyone have absolute proof of this, or is it just hearsay and conjecture ?

I have always taken an interest in this temple, and used to visit it frequently in the older days before it became much more commercialised. During those visits, I never felt the animals were drugged but possibly lethargic due to just being fed and the heat. On some occasions, due to extreme heat, many of the older tigers were not taken to the quarry, but remained in their enclosures, and we had access to the younger cats under the trees. These cats were extremely active, and did not appear to be under the influence of narcotics.

I am not saying you are wrong in your assumptions, but I would appreciate if anyone knows if these cats have ever been tested by an independent reliable source, (yes I know I am opening myself up to claims of corruption, this is Thailand, money talks..etc). But, at some point I would have thought these animals would have needed veterinary care, and whether it be hair, feces or urine, would have thought testing relatively easy.

On various forums over the years, I have seen similar accusations, yet despite being asked for proof, nothing has been forthcoming.

Please understand, I am not disputing what you claim, I am only interested in where you got this information or, if anyone else can please point me to a reliable source confirming this. Should this prove to be the case, then obviously these cats need to be removed, (as is happening and tests could now be run), and treated with the humanity and respect they deserve.

Thanks

Its a known fact they are drugged up, it is plain knowledge to all the Thai people, and how could they be tested, the monks wont let anybody near them, and they rely on the stupid folk to back them up with offers of good karma in the next life etc, blah, blah ,blah

Two rash generalisations:-

1. Its a known fact -- no it isnt

2. Plain knowledge to all Thai people -- no it isnt.

Please provide proof on your two assumptions.

According to WFFT today Tuesday, the vet and some 20 temple staff me!mbers and animal keepers are going to DSI department of special investigations yo make complaints with reference to illegal wildlife trading and money laundering.

The drugged up tigers was always a BS rumor.

Everything else is legit, illegal trade and the rest of it.

The drugged up tigers was always a BS rumor.

Everything else is legit, illegal trade and the rest of it.

How can "illegal trade" be "legit"?

In north America, linx (wild, dog-sized cats) were re-introduced from Canadian Rockies to the Rocky Mountains of western Colorado - where they had gone extinct in prior years. The operation was not easy or seamless, but it did work, owing to the dedication and professionalism of the specialists running the program. I don't think there's any plan for the Thai tigers to be re-introduced, as there's neither the willingness nor professionalism to do so. Plus, the habitat issue: an earlier post claims there is enough habitat in Thailand to support around 2,000 wild tigers, but that seems wishful. With continuing great demand from China for tiger parts, and willingness of some Thais and hill tribers to do anything for extra income, ...it's doubtful there is any habitat large and safe enough (in Thailand) for wild tigers.

There's a white rhino in Southern Sudan which not only has its horns sawed off, but has several armed guards at its side, 24/7. Similarly, the largest rosewood tree in Thailand, has an army platoon assigned to it. The army boys are camped around the tree to protect it from loggers. It's an indication of how desperate the Chinese are to decimate the last vestiges of certain wildlife species. Extermination is only a slight problem in their view. What's important (particularly now, that they have a lot of cash) is getting the most exotic/expensive items. Rosewood sells for over $50k/cubic meter. Certain rhino and tiger body parts sell for more than the price of gold.

You mentioned the reintroductioin of TIGERS..... This is quite different from other species; you can't make comparisons with these animals and tigers...they are just about the largest of all the terrestrial apex predators and have a unique set of prerequisites before they could be released....check out the Siberian project.

Quite apart from the almost insurmountable difficulties of reintroducing any tiger into the wild, the "temple tigers" have an extra set of apparently insurmountable problems of their own. E.g the probability that they are hybrids, inbred and have been "hand-raised" would seem to make all this quite impossible.

You can doubt if you like but there was a survey done in about 2007 by a group of US scientists that concluded that given the right organisation, Thailand had potential wild space that could support ecosystems with up to a2000 tigers.

The "tiger action plan " also hopes to double the cuurent wild tiger population within the next decade in areas that currently hold tigers. This is without any major changes to habitat areas.

Whereas encroachment in all its forms is always a problem, it is poaching that appears to be the main concern...not actual space.

Thailand may have lost a lot of habitat but it still has a lot of land suitable for the biosystems that have the tiger as the apex predator.

....and now the DNP have backed down......

http://bangkok.coconuts.co/2015/04/23/tiger-temple-keep-its-big-cats-now

except the temple can't charge visitors..........