In pictures: Monk's best friend? Buddhist priest hugs tiger

While dogs are traditionally thought to be man's best friend, one monk has been spotted cuddling up to a rather large cat.

In a series of stunning shots, a monk at the Tiger Temple in Kanchanaburi, Thailand has been photographed hugging and feeding one of the resident tigers.

The temple, which was founded in 1994, has around 100 tigers who live side by side with Bhuddist monks, and from the images it appears that the animals are very close to their human companions.

Many of the tigers are brought to the temple as cubs and grow up around humans, tourists who visit are even able to pet and interact with the animals.

Although the temple has attracted criticism from wildlife groups, who say that the animals are not cared for properly, the organisation insists that the tigers are well looked after and plans to eventually release them back into the wild.