CALGARY – Alberta SPCA are investigating an “animal welfare concern” at Reptile World in Drumheller with the help of two specialist veterinarians.
“It’s certainly a very complicated situation because of the types of animals – these are zoo reptiles and so they have very particular needs and handling requirements,” said Alberta SPCA communications manager Roland Lines.
Fish and Wildlife officials and peace officers were also on scene Thursday. Lines said the investigation began Wednesday and is expected to last three days. He was unsure if the owner was on the property.
“We have to check whether or not the animals are in distress, and if we find that they are in distress, then we make a determination of whether or not the owner is either able or willing to correct the distress of the animals,” said Lines. “And that’s the basis of our investigation that determines what next steps are in any kind of investigation.”
Reptile World houses a variety of exotic animals; it’s unclear if any of the animals have been seized.
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