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Open World : Tiger Conservation Program

TIGER CONSERVATION PROJECT

(Tiger Island)

At Wat Pa Luang Ta Bua Yannasampanno/Kanchanaburi Province

BACKGROUND

In February 1999 a four month’s old one-footed female tiger cub came to the monastery in a bad condition with a sign of alarm whenever she heard a popping sound of can opening. Her head was stitched. Her eyes were dimmed and she could see things only at a very short distance. The claws of her front legs were removed. She had blunt teeth and could chew and swallow foods only with difficulty. She was upset and roaring as she ate and kept wandering around but she never hurt anybody.

According to a narration, the baby tiger eluded from being killed and stuffed at the Thai-Myanmar border. Her mother was believed to be shot dead. The monastery thus looked after her and she stayed alive.

The event brought sympathy to all the persons who took part in saving her life and nobody would expect to see such case again. Yet several other baby tigers were brought to the monastery with almost the same story.

There are some fertile forest areas along the Thai-Myanmar border where a small population of tiger still exists. The areas are difficult to access and control and it is unfortunate that many tigers end their lives from being poached. Not knowing how to do after killing their parents, the tiger cubs are brought to the monastery where it is regarded as a land of mercy.