Tiger 'unintentionally' mauled abbot at controversial Thailand temple

Published on May 25, 2015

 

A tiger yawns at the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi province on April 24, 2015. Following the mauling of the temple abbot by one of the big cats, the monk's doctor said on Monday that the tiger in question "didn't intend" to attack him. -- PHOTO: AFP

BANGKOK (AFP) - A tiger that mauled the abbot of a Thai temple under fire over the welfare of dozens of big cats in its care "didn't intend" to attack him, the monk's doctor said on Monday.

Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua in western Kanchanaburi province - commonly known as the "Tiger Temple" - is home to nearly 150 tigers and has long drawn tourists who flock there to be photographed next to the monks' feline pets.

Last Saturday, abbot Luang Ta Jan, 64, was admitted into intensive care at Thanakarn Hospital with injuries including a bleeding facial wound as well a broken arm and tooth, his doctor and hospital director Sahathep Sawarngnet told AFP.

But Dr Sahathep dismissed reports the tiger pounced on its owner and insisted the attack was accidental, triggered when abbot Luang Ta Jan, who was pulling the tiger along by a lead, slipped and fell. "It didn't intend to attack him at all, only that its nail quickly scratched him when he fell, like a cat," Dr Sahathep said, adding that the abbot had relayed the story to him.

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