Tiger Temple

Tiger Temple, also known as Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua Yanasampanno, was a controversial Buddhist temple in the Kanchanaburi province of Thailand, renowned for its once-popular tourist attraction of close encounters with tigers. Founded in 1994 as a forest temple and sanctuary for numerous wild animals, the site gained international attention for allowing visitors to interact with tigers, take photos, and even participate in walks with them.

The temple presented itself as a conservation project, aiming to provide a haven for abandoned and rescued tigers. Monks and volunteers claimed to care for the animals as part of their spiritual practice. Over time, Tiger Temple grew into a major tourist destination, drawing crowds eager to witness and engage with these majestic creatures outside of a zoo setting.

Despite its popularity, Tiger Temple was plagued by controversy. Animal rights organizations and conservationists frequently criticized the site, alleging mistreatment of the tigers and questioning the ethics of using them for entertainment. Accusations of illegal breeding and trafficking of the animals further marred the temple's reputation.

In 2016, following a raid by wildlife authorities, the tigers were removed from the temple, and it was subsequently closed to the public. Authorities discovered evidence that challenged the temple's claims of conservation, and it was revealed that the temple was involved in illegal wildlife trade.