The monastery management added: "A wild animal that has been sedated is more dangerous because they become disorientated by their surroundings and everything around them becomes a threat. This brings out their wild instincts and they are more likely to attack."
Monks at the monastery say that the big cats have been "hand-reared with compassion (by them)". The tigers get whole chicken, beef and dried cat food. The meat is cooked due to the Asian bird flu scare and so the tigers do not get the taste of blood and associate blood with food.
The Tiger Temple offers various programmes from morning to evening for visitors. The main programme begins at noon and ends around 4.30 pm - giving visitors ample time to be up-close and personal with the tigers.
