The carcasses of several protected wildlife species were found in the living quarters of a temple in Pak Chong district of the north-eastern province of Nakhon Ratchasima, during a raid by park officials on Tuesday.
The raid on the Phan Suek Nukul Temple, in Phya Yen sub-district, was in response to complaints from residents in the neighbourhood that the abbot, Kittichai Woradhammo, had appetite for wild game meat, allegedly supplied to him by poachers.
A search warrant was obtained before the park officials raided the temple and found remains of several animals, including a gaur’s head, two serow heads, four bear paws and one barking deer carcass.
Park officials said some of the game meat was found inside a fridge.
The temple abbot was not at the temple during the raid and is believed to have fled, but charges of illegal possession of protected wildlife carcasses have been filed against him.
Atthaphon Charoenchansa, director-general of the Department of National Parks, Wildlife and Plant Conservation, said that officials will investigate whether the abbot was involved in the poaching.
He recalled a similar incident at a temple in Chaiyaphum province some years ago.
Pak Chong district is close to Khao Yai National Park, which is home to many wildlife species, some of which are protected.
