Bangkok trip- Tiger Temple
Kingsley and I just got back from a quick trip to Bangkok. I had been once before with my family about 8 years ago but was excited to go back and check it out with Kingsley as it was his first time. We did a few of the touristy things, visited the grand palace, floating market ect
In 1999, the temple received the first tiger cub, it had been found by villagers and died soon after. The story goes that several tiger cubs were later given to the temple over time, typically when the mothers had been killed by poachers, others who wanted to get rid of their tiger "pets" or those were under pressure to do so as laws and policies surrounding the keeping of protected species became more strict. As of 2007, over 21 cubs have been born at the temple and the total number of tigers is about 12 adult tigers and 4 cubs. As of late December 2009, the total number of tigers living at the temple has risen to almost 50.
The goal of the temple is to eventually buy enough land in the mountains behind the temple that they can release these tigers back into the wild. One very cool opportunity we had was to spend an hour feeding and playing with 3 tiger cubs that were between 2 and 3 months old.
They only allow 4 people in per session and there are only 4 sessions per day. Feeding the cubs is usually booked out weeks in advance. But somehow that day there were 2 spots still open, they said it was likely because of Chinese New Year that things were a little slower. Feeding and playing with tiger cubs was a dream come true for me!
In so many ways the cubs reminded me of the kittens we fostered, same mannerisms, same desire to pounce on anything that moves. Kingsley and I had such an amazing time playing with the little guys, in fact almost a little too much fun, at one point a cub named Wan pounced on his back and nipped at his hand. She was only playing and no harm was done but Kingsley is very proud to say that he was bitten by a tiger and lived to tell about it!
In the afternoon we were part of a group of 15 people who were placed in a small fenced area and allowed to watch as 12 adult tigers ran around us swimming and playing in a water filled canyon. This also was an incredible experience as the tigers were often less than a few feet away from us with only a small chain link fence and the thai monks and trainers between us and them. I have to say I was a little panicked when they first started running around but they had no interest in us, just wanted to play and swim. We got some great video footage! Kingsley had to pull me away at the end of the day, I have to say visiting tiger temple was one of the coolest experiences I have ever had.
But the highlight of the trip for me was going to the Tiger temple. This temple is about 2 hours hours outside of Bangkok, here is a quick history:
In 1999, the temple received the first tiger cub, it had been found by villagers and died soon after. The story goes that several tiger cubs were later given to the temple over time, typically when the mothers had been killed by poachers, others who wanted to get rid of their tiger "pets" or those were under pressure to do so as laws and policies surrounding the keeping of protected species became more strict. As of 2007, over 21 cubs have been born at the temple and the total number of tigers is about 12 adult tigers and 4 cubs. As of late December 2009, the total number of tigers living at the temple has risen to almost 50.
The goal of the temple is to eventually buy enough land in the mountains behind the temple that they can release these tigers back into the wild. One very cool opportunity we had was to spend an hour feeding and playing with 3 tiger cubs that were between 2 and 3 months old.
They only allow 4 people in per session and there are only 4 sessions per day. Feeding the cubs is usually booked out weeks in advance. But somehow that day there were 2 spots still open, they said it was likely because of Chinese New Year that things were a little slower. Feeding and playing with tiger cubs was a dream come true for me!
In so many ways the cubs reminded me of the kittens we fostered, same mannerisms, same desire to pounce on anything that moves. Kingsley and I had such an amazing time playing with the little guys, in fact almost a little too much fun, at one point a cub named Wan pounced on his back and nipped at his hand. She was only playing and no harm was done but Kingsley is very proud to say that he was bitten by a tiger and lived to tell about it!
In the afternoon we were part of a group of 15 people who were placed in a small fenced area and allowed to watch as 12 adult tigers ran around us swimming and playing in a water filled canyon. This also was an incredible experience as the tigers were often less than a few feet away from us with only a small chain link fence and the thai monks and trainers between us and them. I have to say I was a little panicked when they first started running around but they had no interest in us, just wanted to play and swim. We got some great video footage! Kingsley had to pull me away at the end of the day, I have to say visiting tiger temple was one of the coolest experiences I have ever had.
Labels:
Thailand,
Travel Adventures
Wow! Sounds amazing!! And Kingsley... very brave of you surviving that tiger attack. ;-)