Ratchaburi - The Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation says it will improve facilities for taking care of 146 tigers confiscated from the famous Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi's Sai Yok district.
The improvements aim to meet with standard animal welfare practices, said Adisorn Noochdamrong, the department's deputy chief, who on Friday accompanied the media on visits to two wildlife breeding centres in Ratchaburi looking after the 146 confiscated tigers.
"We will improve the living space for these tigers. We will enlarge each enclosure so each tiger will have a bigger space to exercise and relax," Mr Adisorn said.
He said the department is waiting for an additional five-million baht to enlarge enclosures and build a two-kilometre double fence to ensure the safety of villagers living near the Khaozon Wildlife Breeding Centre in Chom Bueng district.
The breeding centre is currently home to 62 of the confiscated tigers.
Each animal lives in a 44-square metre enclosure split into two sections for sleeping and an open zone where they can exercise and bathe, MrAdisorn said, adding there is no large space for them to relax at the moment.
The department took the media to visit Khaozon Wildlife Breeding Centre and Khao Pra Thap Chang Wildlife Breeding Centre which is home to the remaining 84 tigers.
Last month, the department removed 147 tigers from the Tiger Temple which had been allowed to take care of the big cats for more than 10 years. One tiger sent to the Khao Pra Thap Chang centre later died due to a digestion problem.
Three monks and two other people face illegal wildlife possession charges while forest officials found 40 tiger cub carcasses and amulets made from body parts during the removal.
Natanon Panpeth, a vet at the Khaozon Wildlife Breeding Centre, said most of the tigers are healthy, but a few still have digestive problems.
Winan Wirana, the breeding centre chief, said each tiger eats four kilogrammes of raw chicken per day. The centre needs around 300,000 baht per month for food.
Saksan Eiamnoo, a forest official who has spent more than 10 years taking care of tigers, said the animals were wary at first but were slowly adjusting to the new surroundings.
Tanya Erzinclioglu, a Tiger Temple volunteer who took care of the cats, said she was unhappy with the small living areas.
"It would be great if they had more space in the future," she said.
