In terms of wildlife stereotypes for Thailand I feel like visiting some sort of tiger temple has to be towards the top of most generalized lists. Instantly I imagine the quintessential picture of someone lying next to one of the most beautiful creatures earth has to offer. Their hand gently rested on the tiger's chest, with a glaze over their eyes wondering if this stripped kitty is going to rip their body to shreds. This opportunity to be so close to such a wonderful animal and have pictures to show for it are once in a lifetime but there is a downside. It was not till my fifth or sixth night in Bangkok that this "controversy" was brought about in a social circle that got me thinking if this once in a lifetime experience was truly something I wanted to support. Prior to the start of this trip I was all about it. Not a second guess in the world just contemplation's of what face I was going to make during the picture or whether they would let my tiny Washington State University(WSU) Cougar(coug) flag make an appearance (Its a WSU thing; inquire here >>> http://. wavetheflag.org / gallery).
Supposedly some of these tranquil, chill tigers are sedated/drugged through their food to keep them from turning a tourist destination into a feeding frenzy and allowing such pictures to be taken without severe repercussions. Personally I have never heard a tourist become an afternoon snack from such an experience so what was said at that hostel might actually hold some truth. But as no actual hard evidence was provided about these drugs being fed to the tigers I went about the streets of Bangkok and found myself a killer dealer to the Tiger Temple just a day trip away. My SD memory card is now chalk full of pictures from that day, coug flag and all.
A few days later I left Bangkok and found myself strolling through the doors of a hostel in Chiang Mai. There, I found a very blatant explanation of the whole sedated/drug controversy sitting under the glass counter-top at the front desk. Although this particular one didn't speak for all tiger temples/palaces/reserves/etc the points made did match up with the interactions and experience I had with my tigers outside of Bangkok.
-Tigers LOVE TO SLEEP: Tigers generally sleep or lounge for roughly 18 hours of the day. The comparison on the spreadsheet made was well justified. "Imagine putting on a fur coat, finding yourself a comfy spot on the ground, having someone rub your belly ALL day, all while its 90+ degrees out". I thought to myself, damn, that would be pretty tough to stay awake. Sounds quite relaxing.
-Midnight Munchers (I consider myself one as well but with different motives...): Regardless of captivity or ones from the wild, tigers prefer exerting energy for hunting later on in the day. Its cooler and predators are less apt to escape their vicious claws. To compare this justification to my experience it was all starting to add up. Everyday around 4 the tigers are moved from one spot in the reserve to another for their collective playtime, baths and finally their feeding. At this point all the tourists were asked to leave the reserve as the monks escorted the tigers to their proper play area to have the rest of the afternoon/evening to themselves.
-The tigers are still aggressive (I know from experience): This one was the real clincher for me. After taking pictures with a few of the full grown tigers it was one the cub(still the size of a smaller golden retriever dog) that gave the biggest reaction to my presence. As I tried to move slowly and crouch behind the "cub" to play big spoon, in what would have been an epic picture, the cub hopped up and made a small lunge towards me. I shuffled/crawled my way to the fences edge like a little girl as the trainer came to give the tiger a play toy as distraction. I would like to think that toy saved my life. In all seriousness I don't think the tiger was going to eat me but looking for more of a playmate, a role I'm not suitable to act out.
Overall, I think going to tiger temple, palace, reserve, etc. comes down to ones judgment. I had an unbelievable time and definitely feel a whole lot better about myself after the pieces fell into place in regards to the (hopeful) ethical treatment of these wonderful kitties. Just to think, my limbs are still attached as well.
Here is the link to the website in which they offer a numerous variety of tours interchanging a multitude of things with the Tiger Temple outside of Bangkok.
http://www.tigertemplethailand.com/
Also, here are a few pictures from my time at the Tiger Temple, enjoy.
Supposedly some of these tranquil, chill tigers are sedated/drugged through their food to keep them from turning a tourist destination into a feeding frenzy and allowing such pictures to be taken without severe repercussions. Personally I have never heard a tourist become an afternoon snack from such an experience so what was said at that hostel might actually hold some truth. But as no actual hard evidence was provided about these drugs being fed to the tigers I went about the streets of Bangkok and found myself a killer dealer to the Tiger Temple just a day trip away. My SD memory card is now chalk full of pictures from that day, coug flag and all.
A few days later I left Bangkok and found myself strolling through the doors of a hostel in Chiang Mai. There, I found a very blatant explanation of the whole sedated/drug controversy sitting under the glass counter-top at the front desk. Although this particular one didn't speak for all tiger temples/palaces/reserves/etc the points made did match up with the interactions and experience I had with my tigers outside of Bangkok.
-Tigers LOVE TO SLEEP: Tigers generally sleep or lounge for roughly 18 hours of the day. The comparison on the spreadsheet made was well justified. "Imagine putting on a fur coat, finding yourself a comfy spot on the ground, having someone rub your belly ALL day, all while its 90+ degrees out". I thought to myself, damn, that would be pretty tough to stay awake. Sounds quite relaxing.
-Midnight Munchers (I consider myself one as well but with different motives...): Regardless of captivity or ones from the wild, tigers prefer exerting energy for hunting later on in the day. Its cooler and predators are less apt to escape their vicious claws. To compare this justification to my experience it was all starting to add up. Everyday around 4 the tigers are moved from one spot in the reserve to another for their collective playtime, baths and finally their feeding. At this point all the tourists were asked to leave the reserve as the monks escorted the tigers to their proper play area to have the rest of the afternoon/evening to themselves.
-The tigers are still aggressive (I know from experience): This one was the real clincher for me. After taking pictures with a few of the full grown tigers it was one the cub(still the size of a smaller golden retriever dog) that gave the biggest reaction to my presence. As I tried to move slowly and crouch behind the "cub" to play big spoon, in what would have been an epic picture, the cub hopped up and made a small lunge towards me. I shuffled/crawled my way to the fences edge like a little girl as the trainer came to give the tiger a play toy as distraction. I would like to think that toy saved my life. In all seriousness I don't think the tiger was going to eat me but looking for more of a playmate, a role I'm not suitable to act out.
Overall, I think going to tiger temple, palace, reserve, etc. comes down to ones judgment. I had an unbelievable time and definitely feel a whole lot better about myself after the pieces fell into place in regards to the (hopeful) ethical treatment of these wonderful kitties. Just to think, my limbs are still attached as well.
Here is the link to the website in which they offer a numerous variety of tours interchanging a multitude of things with the Tiger Temple outside of Bangkok.
http://www.tigertemplethailand.com/
Also, here are a few pictures from my time at the Tiger Temple, enjoy.
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