Tiger killers facing charges
FIVE MEN WHO KILLED two Bengal tigers in Thong Pha Phum National Park will face 11 charges, national park chief Charoen Chaichon revealed last Saturday (Jan 16).
On Jan 9, forest rangers raided a camp in the Huay Pilok forest inside the national park. A group of hunters there ran away and escaped arrest.
The rangers seized the pelts and carcasses of two slain Bengal tigers with their meat being grilled. Also seized at the site were one shotgun, one .22 rifle with 50 rounds of ammunition, two muzzleloading pellet guns and many other articles.
On Jan 13, the five men suspected of killing the tigers surrendered to Thong Pha Phum police.
In a statement to police, they said they raised cattle for a living in the national park. During the past two months, they claimed tigers had killed and eaten about 20 cows belonging to them and other local farmers. They planned to kill the tigers to end the problem.
By using the carcass of a cow killed by the tigers as bait, they lay in wait and gunned down the two tigers. They said they borrowed the shotgun, one of the weapons seized by the rangers, from a village defence volunteer.
The charges include violating the forest reserve law, the National Park Act and the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act, raising cattle in a national park and other related offences.