Ex-employee says compromised cage could have led to deadly snake attack

MONCTON – New details are emerging about how the African rock python that killed two young boys in Campbellton, N.B. may have escaped its enclosure.

The information was made public in a live web interview last Friday with a former employee of Reptile Ocean.

Tim Thomas, who worked for Reptile Ocean for 13 years until it closed, said in an online interview with UrbanJunglesRadio.com that he handled the snake that killed Connor and Noah Barthe.

“He was a big snake and yes he is an African rock and he is vicious,” he said.

Thomas said there was a flaw on the top of the python’s enclosure — a missing fan.

“It’s a ventilation fan that’s in the ceiling. I am not sure if it’s me that took it down cause it had burnt out … or somebody took the fan out and forgot to cover it up or what.”

Bernie Gallant, a reptile expert from the Magnetic Hill Zoo who is involved in the investigation, said he is unable to comment on his findings and the state of the enclosure. But he has some insight into why the python might have attacked the boys.

In Thomas’ online interview, he revealed the farm where  Jean-Claude Savoie, the owner of Reptile Ocean, took the boys that day was the same farm where he raised the snake’s food.

“That’s where he houses all his feeding material which are rabbits and rats and all that for the animals,” he said.

“Little kids like to play with baby rats which is normal so and maybe the snake smelled it on them and went toward them.”

Gallant said a python uses its tongue to smell and track its prey. Its sense is so strong, the reptile can hunt down an animal in total darkness.

Gallant said he knows why the African rock python attacked the boys, but he won’t divulge the information yet.

“I can’t go there at all because once I start … everyone will understand once it all comes out,” he said.

He’s submitting a full report of his observations to the RCMP by the end of the week. It will include details on how he believes the snake escaped.

Meanwhile, Savoie’s lawyer, Leslie Matchim, said he is well aware of the online radio interview conducted by Thomas and will respond to it in due time.

Matchim said he has advised his client not to speak publicly while the criminal investigation is ongoing. But he said Savoie is devastated by the loss of the two boys, who were a huge part of his life.

“He wanted it to be known that he feels like really the rest of the community — that is it just a tragic event that has taken its toll on everyone, including him.”

Matchim also said Savoie appreciates the support he is getting from the community. He said Savoie has spoken directly to the mother of the two Barthe boys and she harbours no ill will for the incident.

RCMP said they have listened to Thomas’ interview and will question everyone involved in this case as their investigation continues.