CALGARY – A zoo for cold-blooded critters in southern Alberta has closed its doors.
The Alberta SPCA took 142 reptiles and amphibians into protective custody from Reptile World following an investigation into animal welfare at the facility.
Four of the animals were taken in January and the remainder in February.
The SPCA’s Rolland Lines says all of the animals that were removed were in distress, while nine were euthanized by a veterinarian because their distress was untreatable.
In addition, approximately 500 mice which were also in distress were removed from the same facility and humanely euthanized.
According to Alberta’s Animal Protection Act, the owner has 10 days from the date of removal to correct conditions and reclaim the animals.
So far, no charges have been laid. However, according to the Reptile World Facebook page the zoo is now permanently closed.
Pemry Chobaniuk has been a reptile keeper in her home for the last ten years in Calgary, and visited Reptile World in July 2014. She said she immediately noticed many enclosures were dirty and didn’t appear to have been cleaned on a regular basis.
Chobaniuk said the larger animals appeared to be in the worst condition, especially tortoises, which are the reptiles she is most familiar with.
“The Redfoot Tortoises were kept in the wrong enclosure, they were extremely pyramided, meaning they were not receiving proper nutrition, light and humidity,” she wrote in an email to Global News. “The next species were Greek Tortoises…were in a very small enclosure, that wouldn’t even be big enough for one Tortoise, but there were at least three living in there. The next species, African Spur Thighs, were in extremely bad condition. Although four adults lived in a 200 square foot enclosure, it was not sufficient for that many animals. They were fed the wrong diet, were also extremely pyramided and only had one corner where they could bask under light and heat.”
Chobaniuk said she asked staff about proper requirements for the tortoises, and she was told “it was the proper way to care for such animals.”
“I was disappointed with the conditions these animals had to live in, although when I spoke with my family that had also visited, they enjoyed Reptile World, but were not reptile keepers, so they were unaware of what conditions needed to be met for these animals,” she told Global. “So even though many people visit this establishment a year, many of them are unaware of the deplorable conditions these animals had to live in.”
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