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Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua
- Tiger Temple
Kanchanaburi-Sai Yok Road
Now
over ten years old, this beautiful Buddhist temple keeps and
cares for numerous animals, most notably the tigers who walk
around freely, being stroked by visitors.
The
first tiger cub didn't arrive until 1999 and sadly it died
after being taken to the temple by local villagers.
As
adult tigers fell victim to poachers, several cubs were given
to the temple and so far a further several cubs have been
born. There are currently more than a dozen tigers who call
the temple home!
Once
a day, the tigers are led on leashes to their own quarry where
they can roam around, with visitors able to watch from around
10m away. More often than not, one of the monks will bring
one of the tamest tiger to be stroked by visitors*.
Donations
can be made at the temple and the Monks continue to collect
funds in order to build a larger sanctuary which would allow
the tigers to live in a more natural habitat.
*Although
the tigers appear tame, let's not forget these are still naturally
wild animals. Sudden movements and too many camera flashes
at one time can spook them. However in ten years there has
only been one serious attack on a visitor, who survived!
Young children are not allowed near the animals and will not
be allowed into the quarry where the tigers roam free!
Wat
Pha Luang Ta Bua
- Tiger Temple
Open daily: 9.00am - 4.30pm
Entry Fee: Adults - 300 Th.Baht
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