Pictures: Thailand's Tiger Temple where monks cuddle up to predators
Would you cuddle one of the world's largest land predators, the tiger?
At the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi, Thailand, the deadly animals are seen in a completely different light to the big carnivorous cats we see on nature programmes.
One adult was spotted at the tourist attraction sprawled out on the ground sunbathing before cuddling up to a monk in the shade.
The monk showed no qualms about getting close to the tiger and even fed him from his hand.
Founded in 1994, the controversial animal reserve is based at a Buddhist temple.
The first cub arrived in 1999 after her mother was killed by poachers nearby and its tiger population has grown steadily since then.
Today, the tourist attraction allows visitors to view the animals and have photos taken with them.
However, the temple has come under criticism from some animal rights groups who claim that it is an illegal breeding facility and that the tigers are not cared for properly.
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