Thailand's Tiger Temple Abbot Out of ICU UPDATING All Day, Every Day

THE abbot is recovering from scratches to his face and a broken arm from his fall. He is now out of ICU and also being treated for blood pressure. It's believed tugging the tiger's lead may have caused the animal to strike out.



Original Report

PHUKET: A tiger severely savaged the chief monk at a famous temple in Thailand which has recently been criticised for its treatment of tigers.



The male tiger turned on the abbot, Luangta Jan, about 4.30pm today, Thai media reported.



With his arm and face bitten, the abbot, who is also director of the tiger park at Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua, was in the intensive care unit at Thanakarn Hospital, in Kanchanaburi province, tonight.



The so-called ''Tiger temple'' has become a popular spot for up to 300 tourists a day to interact in enclosures with the creatures.



Earlier this year Thai authorities said the temple has been keeping the animals without the proper paperwork and vowed to seize them, sparking standoffs in recent weeks between officials and angry monks blocking their way.



Last month, when officials arrived at the temple,they contented themselves with counting the tigers, most of whom are microchipped, to ascertain how many there are in the sanctuary.



A temple vet earlier complained to police that three tigers had recently disappeared from the sanctuary,sparking fears they may have been sold on.



The Tiger Kingdom commercial outlets also allow visitors to pet tigers of various sizes.



A much closer watch has been kept on the Phuket branch since an Australian tourist was attacked and required surgery for serious bites to a leg earlier this year. THE abbot is recovering from scratches to his face and a broken arm from his fall. He is now out of ICU and also being treated for blood pressure. It's believed tugging the tiger's lead may have caused the animal to strike out.PHUKET: A tiger severely savaged the chief monk at a famous temple in Thailand which has recently been criticised for its treatment of tigers.The male tiger turned on the abbot, Luangta Jan, about 4.30pm today, Thai media reported.With his arm and face bitten, the abbot, who is also director of the tiger park at Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua, was in the intensive care unit at Thanakarn Hospital, in Kanchanaburi province, tonight.The so-called ''Tiger temple'' has become a popular spot for up to 300 tourists a day to interact in enclosures with the creatures.Earlier this year Thai authorities said the temple has been keeping the animals without the proper paperwork and vowed to seize them, sparking standoffs in recent weeks between officials and angry monks blocking their way.Last month, when officials arrived at the temple,they contented themselves with counting the tigers, most of whom are microchipped, to ascertain how many there are in the sanctuary.A temple vet earlier complained to police that three tigers had recently disappeared from the sanctuary,sparking fears they may have been sold on.The Tiger Kingdom commercial outlets also allow visitors to pet tigers of various sizes.A much closer watch has been kept on the Phuket branch since an Australian tourist was attacked and required surgery for serious bites to a leg earlier this year. Comments Comments have been disabled for this article.

FOLLOW PHUKETWAN