The law classifies tigers as protected wildlife, but the state permits zoo operators to import tigers or breed them in captivity. This policy opens the doors for smugglers to supply wild tigers to zoos in Thailand. Tigers that end up in cages of private zoos will spend 20 years living in captivity. Indeed, the country has done remarkable work in increasing the numbers of wild tigers living in forests from 50 to 180, while the number of such tigers in each neighbouring country is less than 10. After making strides in saving wild tigers, the country now needs to protect those in captivity too.

Source: Bangkok Post December 04, 2020 21:11 UTC