Tall task ahead as monks remain tetchy about transfer of tigers
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TRANSFERRING 146 tigers from Wat Pa Luang Ta Bua in Kanchanaburi's Saiyok district will be hard work even though the facilities to relocate the tigers are ready, Wild Animal Nurture Group director Nares Chombun said. He also insisted that the conflict wit
Pol Colonel Suphitphong Phakcharung, Wat Pa Luang Ta Bua Foundation vice president, said the temple opposed the move to relocate the tigers.
Suphitphong said the temple was equipped to look after the tigers and a foundation from Australia was helping it do that.
However, Nares said the tigers belonged to the National Park, Wildlife and Plant Conservation Department.
“We have no policy to seize the tigers by force. The best way to end this conflict has to be on the negotiation table,” he said.
He stated that the authority had no plan to sue the temple if it resisted the relocation.
“We already have plans for the tigers. The Khaoson and Khao Pratabchang breeding centres in Ratchaburi are ready for the tigers.
“We also have 10 other breeding centres across the country which we can send the tigers to,” he said.
Some tigers would be sent to zoos, which could reduce the cost of the relocation, he said, adding that it cost about Bt7,000 a month to look each tiger.
Wildlife Friends Found-ation Thailand founder Edwin Wiek said the two Ratchaburi breeding centres were equipped to house the tigers.
“The cages are big enough, well lit and clean, unlike some of the temple’s tiger cages, which are small, dark and damp,” Wiek said.
He admitted he didn’t expect the tigers to be relocated soon, especially since they are Bengal tigers and not prepared for local conditions in the wilderness.
They will have to be looked after for the rest of their lives.
