Guest guest Posted June 14, 2001 Report Share Posted June 14, 2001 Bangkok Post - Tiger cub poisoned in Thai sanctuary Thursday 14 June 2001 By Alex Spillius in Bangkok A CELEBRATED two-year-old tiger cub was fatally poisoned with insecticide-laced chicken, monks and vets at a temple refuge for the animals in Thailand said yesterday. The head of the royal forestry department blamed " jealous parties " connected to tiger farms or established tourist venues which resent the extensive media coverage given last month to the rescued tigers of Wat Pa Luangtabua. More than 1,000 visitors have arrived every day since then at the remote temple in Sai Yok province near the Burmese border, taking food or donations for a sanctuary the monks are planning for the tigers. The monks began taking in abandoned tigers three years ago and until earlier this week had eight in their care. They now suspect two men whom they saw feeding the cub, Nanfa, or Horizon, in his cage. A vet said the cub vomited, foamed at the mouth and died a painful death after suffering severe convulsions. Tiger numbers in the wild have declined by 95 per cent to around 5,000 over the past century. The majority are found in India where poaching is a constant threat. Conservationists argue that the black market in tiger products, centred on Bangkok and China, fuels a demand that encourages poachers to hunt the few remaining wild tigers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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