• Biodiversity: They conclude the temple of the tigers of Thailand when they find dozens of frozen young
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At least 86 of the 147 tigers rescued three years ago from a temple in Thailand where they were exhibited before tourists have died due to problems derived from consanguinity , Thai authorities reported Monday.

The cats suffered problems in their immune systems due to consanguinity and died between 2016 and 2019 in two government conservation centers, Prakit Wongsriwathanakul , deputy director of the Department of Natural Parks and Wildlife Conservation , said at a press conference.

The 147 rescued tigers, mostly Siberians, were bred from only six specimens in the so-called Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi (west).

The authorities recognize that the tigers suffered stress in their transfer to government centers, but they blamed the deaths mainly on respiratory problems due to paralysis in the larynx and the "distemper" , a common name for Carré's viral disease.

54 of the tigers died in the animal sanctuary Khao Prathap Chang and another 32 in that of Khao Son, where they were welcomed.

Tourist attraction

The Buddhist temple, officially called Pa Luang Ta Bowa Yannsampanno, hosted in 1994 its first tiger calf, found by peasants, and in 2001 the number of felines amounted to 7, while the Department of Natural Parks authorized their custody.

The tigers became a claim for tourists who walked and took pictures with the animals, which is why it has also been criticized for years by animal advocacy organizations.

The tigers seemed sedated when they were in contact with tourists, according to the protective organizations that came to accuse the religious precinct of being a cover for an illegal animal trafficking business.

In 2016, the Department of Natural Parks decided to rescue the felines after some escaped and due to the large number of copies, which made them fear for their state of health.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

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  • Environment
  • Thailand
  • Animal abuse