Tiger 'unintentionally' mauled abbot at controversial Thai temple: doctor
AFP

BANGKOK: -- A tiger that mauled the abbot of a Thai temple under fire over the welfare of dozens of big cats in its care "didn't intend" to attack him, the monk's doctor said on Monday.

Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua in western Kanchanaburi province -- commonly known as the "Tiger Temple" -- is home to nearly 150 tigers and has long drawn tourists who flock there to be photographed next to the monks' feline pets.

But the monastery has also had a controversial reputation among animal rights groups and Thai wildlife officials who say it is breaking the law in keeping the cats.

On Saturday abbot Luang Ta Jan, 64, was admitted into intensive care at Thanakarn Hospital with injuries including a bleeding facial wound as well a broken arm and tooth, his doctor and hospital director Sahathep Sawarngnet told AFP.

But Sahathep dismissed reports the tiger pounced on its owner and insisted the attack was accidental, triggered when Luang Ta Jan, who was pulling the tiger along by a lead, slipped and fell.

"It didn't intend to attack him at all, only that its nail quickly scratched him when he fell, like a cat," Sahathep said, adding that the abbot had relayed the story to him.

"If it was a real attack, his face would have been torn apart -- but there was only a scratching line from his forehead to his lips," said the doctor, adding that the abbot broke his tooth and arm when he fell onto the ground.

According to Sahathep the tiger weighed 300 kilograms (660 lbs) and had been at the temple for seven years.

The abbot was now recovering and would likely be discharged later this week, the doctor told AFP, adding that he was only ever admitted to intensive care as a precaution due to his previous heart problems, appearing to downplay the severity of his injuries.

Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation (DNP) says the temple has been keeping the tigers without proper paperwork and has vowed to seize them, sparking standoffs in recent weeks between officials and angry monks blocking their way.

On Monday DNP official Somsak Poopet told AFP the department was still considering issuing new rules to the temple including seizing the tigers and banning the monks from putting them on show.

In April the DNP banned the temple from charging tourists admission fees or money to take photos with the tigers.


-- (c) Copyright AFP 2015-05-26

Has the tiger apologized to the abbot then?

Wow he's Clairvoyant with tigers.

hahahaha the world works in mysterious ways

There is no shame in lying.

There is no shame in lying.

There is no shame in lying ….

Repeat 1000 times doctor, and call me in the morning.

But, but the temple said he fell when he missed a stair !

Not on the same page clearly.

Wow he's Clairvoyant with tigers.

I see a Nat Geo series ' Thailand's Tiger Whisperer '.

Oh spare us all the lies please.

The tiger was quoted as saying.

"This is all a big misunderstanding. The abbot and I go way back. He was the one who introduced to tranquilizers when I was having dreams about eating all those tourists, especially those yummy babies. And he also taught me how much better it was to have grab dead chickens off a stick thrust in my face while people laughed at me, then to stalk game in the forest and taste the hot meat and blood. Mmmm Hot meat - Screw it, where is that abbot I'll bite his face clear off this time. I'll kill all you skinny two legged freaks!!!"

A tiger that mauled the abbot of a Thai temple under fire over the welfare of dozens of big cats in its care "didn't intend to attack him", said the monk's doctor, who is also a noted tiger expert (who knew the tiger's intention at the time even though he had never met the tiger or even witnessed the attack), Sahathep Sawarngnet, The multi-talented doctor/tiger psychologist is also the hospital's director.

There, fixed it for you. (I thought I read a news story saying the monks say the injury is from falling down stairs)

How many more attacks before they ban tourists from direct interaction with tigers?

Name and shame every stupid tourist that frequents this place. Close it down now and stick the abbot in jail. One can dream.

On Monday DNP official Somsak Poopet told AFP the department was still considering issuing new rules to the temple including seizing the tigers and banning the monks from putting them on show.

Incredible this is still "under consideration".

The monk was admitted into intensive care(usually indicates fairly substantial injuries, bleeding facial wonds, broken arm and tooth) but the Dr. said the tiger only scratched the monk when he fell. Interesting

So when the next tiger attacks a child and bites off there head is there reply going be Oh tiger didn't mean to bite off the head it saw lice and lice bite tiger's tongue so tiger bite back all a misunderstanding.

Is the tiger's lawyer filing defamation suits ?

This is another version of a "Thai misunderstanding".

The director, who studied under the esteemed Dr. Doolittle, claimed " I have already spoken to the tiger in question who said on that day he was in a bit of a mood because he'd lost his iPhone. Tigger added that he'd like to issue a full and frank apology for his unaccaptable behavior"

Tigers are just big pussy cats,why would it hurt anyone

regards Worgeordie

I have never seen any animal, wild or "tame" do anything unintentional. They are too busy sleeping, looking for food or protecting themselves (maybe what happened in this case?)

Ordinaraly, I would agree with the other posters but, really, it wouldn't take much for 660 pound creature with enourmous strength, razzor sharp claws and teeth to end any humans existance, nevermind a 66 year old abbot's. It more than likely it was an accident or at the very least, a mildly miffed Tiger that just wanted to be left alone. If the Tiger wanted him dead, he's be dead.

Ordinaraly, I would agree with the other posters but, really, it wouldn't take much for 660 pound creature with enourmous strength, razzor sharp claws and teeth to end any humans existance, nevermind a 66 year old abbot's. It more than likely it was an accident or at the very least, a mildly miffed Tiger that just wanted to be left alone. If the Tiger wanted him dead, he's be dead.

True but im not interested in the stupid abbots welfare only the Tiger. They have no right to keep these beautiful wild animals for financail gain. The government for all there hot air seam powerless to stop them.

There is far too much speculation in this forum. Why don't we just wait for the tiger to make a written statement. It's easy for it to say it was an accident, but I'd insist on it putting it in writing

Of course it was unintentional....if he hadnt been there it wouldnt have happened.

sparking standoffs in recent weeks between officials and angry monks blocking their way.

That is a classic.

I bet that tiger was just biding his time...looking for the slightest accident to happen. nope, not my fault!

More Valium for that tiger and maybe off to China another disappearance

Has the tiger apologized to the abbot then?

unintentionally< what does that mean? how do they know what the tigers intention was? did they ask him?

""didn't intend" to attack him, the monk's doctor said " this special doctor knows perfectly tiger's mentality.....

“Unintentionally mauled” - ??????

So the good doctor tells us - the Monk’s doctor?? So this guy who is trained in human physiology is now an expert in Tiger physiology and psychology too? - What basis has he for this comment? I think he’s (unsuccessfully) trying to pour oil on troubled water on the abbot’s behalf.......

Firstly he is probably right...BUT that is not the point! Even when being playful a 300 kg tiger is DANGEROUS and has the potential to inflict serious damage on a human.... ; unfortunately by saying this, he has merely underlined how even when being “unintentional” a tiger is a very dangerous creature.

Secondly one wonders WHY he made this statement - well it would seem the doctor has been influenced in one way or another to “put in a good word” for the temple. So he’s tried to play down the incident, but actually made it worse - how many tourists might be at risk from “unintentional” tiger’s attentions?

You can relax. The tiger has been shifted to an inactive post.