The Bridge

It is possible that the Kanchanaburi Tiger Temple started with the good intention of providing emergency accommodation for tiger cubs who had been rescued from poachers. However, it would appear that commercial interests have long since overtaken these considerations. Subsequent construction, breeding, and illegal exchange activities appear to have been developed almost entirely with tourism in mind, rather than to benefit the needs of tigers.



The animal welfare problems at the Temple are severe and include poor accommodation, lack of appropriate environments, veterinary problems, and deliberate physical abuse of the tigers to make them compliant for visiting tourists.



The Tiger Temple makes no discernable contribution to tiger conservation and does not meet any of the requirements of the World Association of Zoos and Aquaria (WAZA) for participation in a captive conservation breeding programme. The genetic makeup of the Temple's tigers is unknown, and the captive environment does not in any way approach the WAZA's minimum requirements. The Temple therefore would not be permitted to participate in any recognised conservation breeding programme.

Evidence of illegal movements of tigers across international borders by Temple staff is now uncovered. At least 12 have been shipped across international borders without the necessary permits. International trade in tigers and their parts is the main cause of the species' demise in the wild.