This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-36431861

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Thailand Tiger Temple to face charges over dead cubs Thailand Tiger Temple to face charges over dead cubs
(about 3 hours later)
Wildlife authorities in Thailand have said they will press charges against a Buddhist temple where the bodies of 40 dead tiger cubs were found.Wildlife authorities in Thailand have said they will press charges against a Buddhist temple where the bodies of 40 dead tiger cubs were found.
The discovery came during a week-long effort to relocate 137 tigers from the tourist site in Kanchanaburi province.The discovery came during a week-long effort to relocate 137 tigers from the tourist site in Kanchanaburi province.
Police caught one monk trying to flee with skins and fangs, reports said.
The "Tiger Temple" operators have been accused of wildlife trafficking, animal abuse and illegally possessing carcasses and endangered species.The "Tiger Temple" operators have been accused of wildlife trafficking, animal abuse and illegally possessing carcasses and endangered species.
They deny all allegations and resisted previous attempts to remove the tigers. Operators at Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua temple complex deny all allegations and have resisted previous attempts to remove the tigers.
BBC visit to the Tiger Temple in 2012BBC visit to the Tiger Temple in 2012
The tiger cub corpses were found in a freezer at the Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua temple complex on Wednesday, along with body parts from other animals. "We found tiger skins and amulets in a car which was trying to leave a temple," Adisorn Noochdumrong, the deputy director of Thailand's parks department, told AFP on Thursday.
It came a day after tiger cub corpses were found in a freezer at the complex, along with body parts from other animals.
Police Col Bandith Meungsukhum told AFP the cubs would have been one or two days old, but it was not clear how long they had been dead.Police Col Bandith Meungsukhum told AFP the cubs would have been one or two days old, but it was not clear how long they had been dead.
They will be DNA tested to see whether they were related to other tigers at the site.They will be DNA tested to see whether they were related to other tigers at the site.
National parks official Adisorn Noochdumrong said a keeper had been "told to place the carcasses when they died in cold storage". Officials say the temple operators could be charged with keeping the carcasses without permission.
He told AFP the temple operators could be charged with keeping the carcasses without permission.
The temple has previously said it decided in 2010 to stop cremating cubs which died soon after birth. It has always denied trafficking allegations.The temple has previously said it decided in 2010 to stop cremating cubs which died soon after birth. It has always denied trafficking allegations.
Authorities started the operation to remove all 137 living tigers from the temple on Monday. Dozens have already been removed.Authorities started the operation to remove all 137 living tigers from the temple on Monday. Dozens have already been removed.
The site, west of Bangkok, is a popular tourist attraction, with visitors able to post for photos with the animals for a fee.The site, west of Bangkok, is a popular tourist attraction, with visitors able to post for photos with the animals for a fee.
It has been closed to the public since the raid.It has been closed to the public since the raid.
Animal activists and former workers have claimed the tigers are mistreated and kept in small concrete cages.Animal activists and former workers have claimed the tigers are mistreated and kept in small concrete cages.