Thai tiger temple monk caught fleeing with skins, fangs

Thai authorities intercepted a monk trying to leave the kingdom's controversial "tiger temple" with skins and fangs on Thursday, officials said, the latest discovery to fuel long-running accusations that the zoo is involved in the illegal wildlife trade.

Dozens of police and park officials have been stationed at the Wat Pha Luang Ta Bua temple in western Kanchanaburi province since Monday after receiving a court order to remove over 100 adult cats from the complex.

For decades the infamous temple has been a popular stop for tourists who pay a steep fee to pet and be photographed with the predators - which animal rights groups say are heavily sedated.