First 5 tigers removed from Tiger Temple by Thai authorities

[TomJoad]

The tigers in Thailand had their fate sealed back when it was decided that exporting rice was more important than preserving wildlife habitat.

In 1950 Thailand was 80% jungle. Today, it's something like 20%.

The fate of tigers in the wild in Thailand is not simply down to loss of habitat. in act as recently as 2007 it was asserted by American researchers that there was potentially enough wilderness in thailand to support a population of up to 2000 tigers.

One of the things the temple has done is create a distorted view of the tiger situation, by claiming to be conservationists, they created a belief that somehow so long as the temple was there there was hope for tigers in the wild - this totally overlooks the real situation which is down to creating or maintaining sustainable eco-systems in the wild of which tigers are the apex predators - nothing to do with breeding hybrids and interbred animals in captivity for public entertainment. Not one tiger from the temple could ever - even in theory be released into the wild. They are an eco-bombshell created by the misguided aims of the temple.

There is no connection between the temple and conservation - in fact with their breeding program and now the alleged trading they actually harm the prospects of the tiger. Once they are shown to be what they actually are, then people can concentrate on saving the tiger as a wild animal in Thailand.

Thailand is at present a favourite contender for the ignominious distinction of being the next nation to preside over the extinction of the tiger within its borders.

this is not a done deal yet, and if the revelations about the temple are established, it could well be a wake-up call for Thailand to ring an end to the trade and exploitation of this animal and set about reestablishing it in its natural environment.

I'm not defending the temple, just pointing out the real problem.

I'm always surprised by anyone who claims they care about animals, then orders a quarter pounder w/cheese at McDonalds while another patch of rainforest in the Amazon is converted into cow pasture.

[craigt3365]

Sadly, this temple has proven they can't properly take care of the tigers. Time to get this over with and remove all of them. As stated by many above, these poor animals are already screwed. But if action is taken quickly, then more won't fall to this same fate. Amazing it's taken the government this long to deal with this situation. And still hasn't really dealt with it completely.

[Toknarok]

The tigers in Thailand had their fate sealed back when it was decided that exporting rice was more important than preserving wildlife habitat.

In 1950 Thailand was 80% jungle. Today, it's something like 20%.

The fate of tigers in the wild in Thailand is not simply down to loss of habitat. in act as recently as 2007 it was asserted by American researchers that there was potentially enough wilderness in thailand to support a population of up to 2000 tigers.

One of the things the temple has done is create a distorted view of the tiger situation, by claiming to be conservationists, they created a belief that somehow so long as the temple was there there was hope for tigers in the wild - this totally overlooks the real situation which is down to creating or maintaining sustainable eco-systems in the wild of which tigers are the apex predators - nothing to do with breeding hybrids and interbred animals in captivity for public entertainment. Not one tiger from the temple could ever - even in theory be released into the wild. They are an eco-bombshell created by the misguided aims of the temple.

There is no connection between the temple and conservation - in fact with their breeding program and now the alleged trading they actually harm the prospects of the tiger. Once they are shown to be what they actually are, then people can concentrate on saving the tiger as a wild animal in Thailand.

Thailand is at present a favourite contender for the ignominious distinction of being the next nation to preside over the extinction of the tiger within its borders.

this is not a done deal yet, and if the revelations about the temple are established, it could well be a wake-up call for Thailand to ring an end to the trade and exploitation of this animal and set about reestablishing it in its natural environment.

Exactly. The most sensible post on this subject so far. These tigers are Bengal tigers, indigenous to the Asian sub continent and are not native to Thailand. Either that or they are hybrids of the two species. They are a useless addition to the tiger gene pool and make no contribution to the preservation of the wild tiger at all.

In fact the best solution to this problem would be to euthanise the entire lot of them, like some zoos do when they have animals that cannot be used for breeding. The Danish zoo putting down a giraffe and a lion for this reason comes to mind. Harsh as it may seem, it really would solve this problem once and for all.

[cumgranosalum]

The tigers in Thailand had their fate sealed back when it was decided that exporting rice was more important than preserving wildlife habitat.

In 1950 Thailand was 80% jungle. Today, it's something like 20%.

The fate of tigers in the wild in Thailand is not simply down to loss of habitat. in act as recently as 2007 it was asserted by American researchers that there was potentially enough wilderness in thailand to support a population of up to 2000 tigers.

One of the things the temple has done is create a distorted view of the tiger situation, by claiming to be conservationists, they created a belief that somehow so long as the temple was there there was hope for tigers in the wild - this totally overlooks the real situation which is down to creating or maintaining sustainable eco-systems in the wild of which tigers are the apex predators - nothing to do with breeding hybrids and interbred animals in captivity for public entertainment. Not one tiger from the temple could ever - even in theory be released into the wild. They are an eco-bombshell created by the misguided aims of the temple.

There is no connection between the temple and conservation - in fact with their breeding program and now the alleged trading they actually harm the prospects of the tiger. Once they are shown to be what they actually are, then people can concentrate on saving the tiger as a wild animal in Thailand.

Thailand is at present a favourite contender for the ignominious distinction of being the next nation to preside over the extinction of the tiger within its borders.

this is not a done deal yet, and if the revelations about the temple are established, it could well be a wake-up call for Thailand to ring an end to the trade and exploitation of this animal and set about reestablishing it in its natural environment.

Exactly. The most sensible post on this subject so far. These tigers are Bengal tigers, indigenous to the Asian sub continent and are not native to Thailand. Either that or they are hybrids of the two species. They are a useless addition to the tiger gene pool and make no contribution to the preservation of the wild tiger at all.

In fact the best solution to this problem would be to euthanise the entire lot of them, like some zoos do when they have animals that cannot be used for breeding. The Danish zoo putting down a giraffe and a lion for this reason comes to mind. Harsh as it may seem, it really would solve this problem once and for all.

Actually the tigers appear to be a mix of t least 2 subspecies - "Corbetti" and Bengali.....several problems have arisen from this uncontrolled breeding.

The two subspecies may have interbred - these hybrids have no use in conservation. Also they may well be too closely interbred. both these factors render them worthless even as an addition to any gene pool.

I think people are unaware of the hugely expensive and complicated procedures zoos often go through when they decide to breed from their tigers - often shipping animals from zoos the other side of the world to ensure a wide spread of genes.

This is a mess that has been generated by the untutored management by the temple - they alone are the cause of this problem and it would seem to me that they should be held financially responsible for much of the work needed to sort this. (i'm sure the will plead poverty)

I don't think euthanasia is acceptable so the tigers need to be housed. They also need to be genetically tested and analysed just to find out exactly who or what they are. all of this will cost money over a long-term period.

The authorities have always been aware of this and finally appear to have realised that doing nothing was not an option.

(I wouldn't be surprised if they are worried about how this scandal will go down with CITES who already have them on the "concerned" list.)

If any tigers are put down, the responsibility has to lie with the temple who allowed this situation to develop...i hope this is made clear to the public, as the temple are bound to try and capitalise on any such event.

[Rimmer]

A couple of off topic posts have been removed, topic is about Tigers not other posters

[wabothai]

As I read all the posts it seems to me that there is not really a solution.

[Canuk23]

People would come out and protest ? Protest the removal I dont think so maybe celebrate. Now all we need to know where were they removed to ?

They are talking abot the people from the village dont forget they also make money from this illegal business.

[DrTuner]

Some Chinese restaurant in BKK must be taking in bids for a special event.

[cumgranosalum]

People would come out and protest ? Protest the removal I dont think so maybe celebrate. Now all we need to know where were they removed to ?

They are talking abot the people from the village dont forget they also make money from this illegal business.

I'm reliably informed that many of the locals didn't like the monks from the start as they weren't from the area. .....and have been pretty exclusive of the locals all down the line.

many of those working were "volunteers who got little or nothing from the temple....the ones to make money were the temple higher-ups and the tour operators

Edited January 31, 2016 by cumgranosalum

[cumgranosalum]

As I read all the posts it seems to me that there is not really a solution.

There is science and laws that govern the keeping of wild animals in captivity - hopefully these will now be adhered to.

[Ks45672]

As I read all the posts it seems to me that there is not really a solution.

There is science and laws that govern the keeping of wild animals in captivity - hopefully these will now be adhered to.

These are useless animals, they are mutations that never would have occurred without cross breeding for tourist attractions...

They should be put down and this place bulldozed ASAP

Everyone who profited from this whole sorry business should themselves be put in captivity for let's say.... 10 years...