In December 2014 three adult tigers went missing from the famed Tiger Temple in Thailand. According to information presented to National Geographic, these tigers may have become victims of the illegal wildlife trade, with the knowledge of the temple. This popular tourist destination presents itself as a sanctuary for wildlife, but conservationists and former temple insiders have uncovered evidence that tells a different story.
Cee4life (Conservation and Environment Education for Life) released a report to Thai officials and National Geographic indicating that tigers have been taken illegally from the temple since 2004.
Read NG’s exclusive report: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2016/01/160121-tiger-temple-thailand-trafficking-laos0/
Learn how to save the world’s Big Cats: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/big-cats-initiative/
Reporter for this Special Investigation Sharon Guynup writes about wildlife and environmental issues and is coauthor of Tigers Forever: Saving the World’s Most Endangered Big Cat. She is a 2016 Wilson Scholar. For updates on the Tiger Temple follow her on Twitter at: @sguynup
Join Sanctuary Asia’s campaign: http://www.sanctuaryasia.com/campaigns/10222-the-tiger-temple-takedown.html
Use #TigerTempleTakedown on your posts to help spread the word and remove any photos you have at the Tiger Temple from your social media accounts.
Write to Thailand’s Minister of Natural Resources and Environment demanding that the Tiger Temple’s request for a zoo license (to house 500 tigers!) be rejected—and that the investigation into the Tiger Temple be handed over to the federal Royal Thai Police.
Send email to: General Surasak Karnjanarat, attanop_1531@icloud.com
With a copy to: editorial@sanctuaryasia.com
And please forward to organizations and individuals who might get on board.
Thank you, for the tigers!
