Thailand's Tiger Temple Abbot Out of ICU
By Phuketwan Reporters Saturday, May 23, 2015
THE abbot is recovering from scratches to his face and a broken arm from his fall. He is now out of ICU and also being treated for blood pressure. It's believed tugging the tiger's lead may have caused the animal to strike out.
PHUKET: A tiger severely savaged the chief monk at a famous temple in Thailand which has recently been criticised for its treatment of tigers.
The male tiger turned on the abbot, Luangta Jan, about 4.30pm today, Thai media reported.
With his arm and face bitten, the abbot, who is also director of the tiger park at Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua, was in the intensive care unit at Thanakarn Hospital, in Kanchanaburi province, tonight.
The so-called ''Tiger temple'' has become a popular spot for up to 300 tourists a day to interact in enclosures with the creatures.
Earlier this year Thai authorities said the temple has been keeping the animals without the proper paperwork and vowed to seize them, sparking standoffs in recent weeks between officials and angry monks blocking their way.
Last month, when officials arrived at the temple,they contented themselves with counting the tigers, most of whom are microchipped, to ascertain how many there are in the sanctuary.
A temple vet earlier complained to police that three tigers had recently disappeared from the sanctuary,sparking fears they may have been sold on.
The Tiger Kingdom commercial outlets also allow visitors to pet tigers of various sizes.
A much closer watch has been kept on the Phuket branch since an Australian tourist was attacked and required surgery for serious bites to a leg earlier this year.
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Comments
Comments have been disabled for this article.
I wonder if he was wishing the tigers had been removed.....hope he makes a speedy recovery, get well soon !
Posted by
Discover Thainess
on
May 24, 2015 00:06
Even born in captivity, a tiger is a wild animal. The moment the tiger has enough of petting or photo shooting and act 'wild' you can get into big trouble as you see with this abbot.
Thai government official should forbid tiger petting. Not because the paperwork is not correct, but for safety of the visitors.
Posted by
John
on
May 24, 2015 07:55
I visited Tiger Temple some years ago with my family & met this revered monk. His Tiger Temple booklet sits in my desk. He was a perfect host; but the policy of 'walking with tigers' was always high risk. He has always had his detractors, but as far as I could see, all the animals, not just tigers, were well cared for. I wish him well & hope he has a full recovery.
Posted by
Logic
on
May 24, 2015 08:04
Logic,
your excitement about Tiger Temple gained obviously through tourist' rosy glasses, not by reference to first-hand accounts by volunteers, who mention totally unresponsive animals etc.:
Posted by
Sue
on
May 24, 2015 12:44
This is a cruel place where the abuse of these animals has been fairly well documented. At the very least exploiting them as a tourist attraction is clearly wrong but at the other end of the scale beating them, removing teeth and claws in some instances etc is clearly wrong. Not to mention tigers going missing (clearly sold on for who knows what purpose).
Posted by
Paul
on
May 24, 2015 15:11
Tigers do not belong in captivity. And what is a monk doing running the place? Strange indeed.
Posted by
Paradise
on
May 24, 2015 15:31
Score one for the wild life. Let's bring on the next animal taunter for a free mauling.
Posted by
Nigel Hywel-Jones
on
May 24, 2015 21:04
Sorry to see this..i was there and had a great time with these amazing animals and did walk the tiger...And i tell you i find the animals well cared for..Hope a quick recovery..acidents happens..
Posted by
Daniel
on
May 24, 2015 22:27
They dont belong in captivity? Rehabilitation sites play a vital role in caring for these species. Just like humans, they need medical care sometimes and in tje wild they cannot get it. As long as theyre ran improperly these types of placesare very important and to be attacked isnt ssurprising either, and really shouldnt even.b cause for alarm.. expect it working with any animal.. but dont blame the aninal..
Posted by
Anonymous
on
May 24, 2015 22:29
No wild animal should have to live like this, they are unpredictable and should be given the respect they deserve. They are not playthings!
Posted by
Sally Forse
on
May 24, 2015 22:55
That Temple needs to send all of the tigers to a Sanctuary. Safer for all. Don't sell the Tigers for food or "parts". They deserve a good life.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
May 24, 2015 23:13
Tigers are very beauutiful and gorgeous animals but they need to be respected and kept separate from humans because they probably don't mean to hurt us a lot of the time the problem is they can't help itthey need to be where they belong With there own kind sanctuaries are great but they still need to be separate from humans
Posted by
Kathleen hill
on
May 25, 2015 00:15
These tigers should not be held as captives.it is too late to release but, they should be in a sanctuary to live better lives.Why are they allowed to keep these beautiful cats?
Posted by
Anonymous
on
May 25, 2015 00:29
I think that the person that got attacked had to do something for that tiger to attack. Because animals can send if u love and appreciate them and care for them. That's what I think. If I can pet any animal and it does not attack me. Then I have they're respect.
Posted by
Tiffani
on
May 25, 2015 00:42
Tigers are my fav of the Big Cats, they are Wild they need to be in the Wild not in a place like this because they are WILD and will attack not their fault,the humans who keep them in places like this are to blame.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
May 25, 2015 01:51
it always amazes me how an article on tigers, elephants, dolphins suferring (or presumed suffering) generate such volumes of response vs. an article on human suferring like Rohingya - yes, on the latter there is always a lot of responses , but an amount of responses on the former is simply overwhelming.
I suppose it is of neurotic nature, a.k.a. getting a chance to release suppressed emotions via expressing of tears, very abstract care for a weak etc. - similar like celebrity death, like of Princess Diana, creates a good chance to trigger crying with abundant tears , to release stress , without consideration to actual event.
Obviously Freud and partly Jung should be called in to comment on such mass reactions.
Posted by
Sue
on
May 25, 2015 14:23
This is a prime example of why these animals should be observed in their natural habitat. They aren't house cats, nor any type of pet.They are wildlife hence they are and should be in the wilderness were they belong. It's not surprising that they turn because they shouldn't be held captive like this. Sorry about the injury I hope everything turns out ok
Posted by
lisa
on
May 25, 2015 23:20
I'm not against a tiger sanctuary among the monks but it needs supervision obviously - are the accusations of beatings and removing teeth true. That's where the problem may lie and too many people interacting with wild cats.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
May 26, 2015 01:49
Tigers belong in the wild, they are not pets and its cruel to make them live in a manner not natural for them. They are being used only for financial gain. They have a purpose and a way of life and its not in captivity. They are NOT happy. As for saying the place they are residing looked fine and animals well cared for,,,, of course it did and they did! Would it look any other way? You dont know what goes on behind the scenes.. They want in your pockets, it has to APPEAR a certain way, be a positive experience.
They have ruined these cats for the wild, now the only humane place for them is a Sanctuary.
Posted by
Anonymous
on
May 26, 2015 03:25
Tigers do mot belong in temples a no bottle feeding. free those poor things.
Posted by
petra
on
May 26, 2015 12:04
I have taken many visitors to the temple to experience being close to these beautiful animals. This temple is a sanctuary for tigers and other animals as they have been taken from poachers. Funds from people visiting the temple are used to help feed and continually upgrade the facilities for the animals. A vet regularly checks them and provides supplements for their diets. To me, this is the best alternative for these unfortunate creatures. Perhaps those people who don't like the temple being used as a sanctuary, should first visit the temple and then patrol the jungles nearby to prevent further poaching. I wish the abbot a speedy recovery so that he may continue his good work.
Posted by
Ron
on
May 28, 2015 04:23
Happy the abbot is recovering. I just don't believe the tigers are treated humanely. How are people able to pet them? Are the drugged to keep them tranquil?
Posted by
MaryK
on
June 2, 2015 09:46
Editor Comment:
There is no evidence that drugs are necessary to keep tigers docile, MaryK. Surely you've seen cats that loll about all day? Somehow, people imagine bigger cats must be snarly and aggressive. Wrong.
Tigers do not belong in captivity, full stop! I question why monks are running such a place when they supposedly devote thier lives to praying to god! Also are not into profit making.
Posted by
Mrs J Thompson
on
May 24, 2016 14:05
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I wonder if he was wishing the tigers had been removed.....hope he makes a speedy recovery, get well soon !
Posted by Discover Thainess on May 24, 2015 00:06