450 Tigers From Sri Racha Zoo Seized By Gov't

The Sri Racha Tiger Zoo (website), a major tourist attraction about 20 miles away from central Pattaya, has had its 450 tigers confiscated by authorities over charges of illegal breeding and exporting of the big and rare cats.

I would have thought that any facility that breeds endangered species and highlights them and their plight to the public would be a good thing overall, regardless of whether or not the distasteful practice of killing some tigers for commercial gain was being practiced there. However, this comment over at ThaiVisa.com was very informative:

"Additionally, with their factory-style breeding, they failed miserably to take into account the extremely delicate nature of the tiger gene pool, potentially damaging any future chances for successful, appropriate breeding to truly help this beautiful but highly endangered species."

So, as enjoyable a place as Sri Racha was, it is obviously a good thing to be put out of this business which is purportedly detrimental to tigers.

For those of you still wanting the opportunity to play with tigers, like you were able to do at Sri Racha Zoo, you can go to the Pattaya Crocodile Farm, or Nong Nooch Tropical Gardens. Both places have tigers there which you can pet and enjoy.

Photo credit: Mikejc1.