'Mayhem' as authorities try to capture 137 tigers at Thai temple

By Kocha Olarn and Radina Gigova, CNN

Updated 0216 GMT (1016 HKT) June 1, 2016

National Parks and Wildlife officers examine a tiger skin at the "Tiger Temple," west of Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday, June 2. Thai police say they stopped a truck carrying two tiger skins and other animal parts as it was leaving the temple. Two staff members were arrested and charged with possession of illegal wildlife.
Photos: Thai authorities remove tigers from temple
National Parks and Wildlife officers examine a tiger skin at the "Tiger Temple," west of Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday, June 2. Thai police say they stopped a truck carrying two tiger skins and other animal parts as it was leaving the temple. Two staff members were arrested and charged with possession of illegal wildlife.
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Bone products are laid out on a table by National Parks and Wildlife officers at the "Tiger Temple," west of Bangkok on June 2.
Photos: Thai authorities remove tigers from temple
Bone products are laid out on a table by National Parks and Wildlife officers at the "Tiger Temple," west of Bangkok on June 2.
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Thai wildlife and conservation officials display more animal parts found at the controversial Buddhist temple on June 2.
Photos: Thai authorities remove tigers from temple
Thai wildlife and conservation officials display more animal parts found at the controversial Buddhist temple on June 2.
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Photos: Thai authorities remove tigers from temple
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Jars containing baby tiger parts found at Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua Temple on June 2.
Photos: Thai authorities remove tigers from temple
Jars containing baby tiger parts found at Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua Temple on June 2.
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National Parks and Wildlife officers display the skins from two tigers that were seized from a truck leaving the temple, June 2.
Photos: Thai authorities remove tigers from temple
National Parks and Wildlife officers display the skins from two tigers that were seized from a truck leaving the temple, June 2.
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Thai wildlife officials collect samples for DNA testing from the carcasses of 40 tiger cubs and a binturong, or a Southeast Asian bearcat, found at the temple on June 1. The government's Wildlife Conservation Office is looking into the possibility that the temple is smuggling tiger parts, the organization's director told CNN.
Photos: Thai authorities remove tigers from temple
Thai wildlife officials collect samples for DNA testing from the carcasses of 40 tiger cubs and a binturong, or a Southeast Asian bearcat, found at the temple on June 1. The government's Wildlife Conservation Office is looking into the possibility that the temple is smuggling tiger parts, the organization's director told CNN.
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Veterinarian officers with Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation tend to a sedated tiger at the controversial "Tiger Temple" in Kanchanaburi province on Wednesday, June 1. <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/06/01/asia/thailand-tiger-temple-cub-bodies-found/">Authorities raided the compound </a>over concerns about the welfare of the animals and complaints from tourists.
Photos: Thai authorities remove tigers from temple
Veterinarian officers with Thailand's Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation tend to a sedated tiger at the controversial "Tiger Temple" in Kanchanaburi province on Wednesday, June 1. Authorities raided the compound over concerns about the welfare of the animals and complaints from tourists.
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Tigers are loaded onto a truck at the temple on June 1.
Photos: Thai authorities remove tigers from temple
Tigers are loaded onto a truck at the temple on June 1.
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Thai officers load a sedated tiger onto a truck on June 1.
Photos: Thai authorities remove tigers from temple
Thai officers load a sedated tiger onto a truck on June 1.
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Veterinarian officers tend to a sedated tiger on June 1.
Photos: Thai authorities remove tigers from temple
Veterinarian officers tend to a sedated tiger on June 1.
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