AFP – Wildlife officials began a headcount Friday of nearly 150 tigers kept by monks at a temple which has become the centre of a dispute over the welfare of the animals.
Wat Pa Luangta Maha Bua in Kanchanaburi province – commonly known as the "Tiger Temple" – has long proved a hit among tourists who flock there to visit the monks and be photographed next to their huge feline pets.
But the authorities say the temple has been keeping the animals without the properpaperwork and have vowed to seize them, sparking standoffs in recent weeks between officials and angry monks blocking their way.