Animal Justice recently contacted authorities to urge an investigation after documenting troubling conditions at a reptile expo in Calgary.
Marketed as a fun, family-friendly event with “hands-on experiences,” the Western Canadian Reptile Expo (WCRE) drew large crowds eager to interact with reptiles and other exotic animals. But inside the rec centre, we documented conditions that suggest a blatant disregard for animal welfare—and a potential violation of Alberta’s Animal Protection Act.
Inside the Western Canadian Reptile Expo
Inside the WCRE, Animal Justice witnessed snakes, lizards, turtles, tarantulas, and other animals confined to containers barely larger than their own bodies, severely limiting movement. Animal Justice believes these conditions contradict Alberta’s Animal Protection Act.
We also documented:
- Little or no access to water
- Constant noise and bright artificial lighting
- Barren containers lacking enrichment or hiding spaces
- Inadequate temperature control
For reptiles, these conditions can be especially dangerous. Reptiles rely on carefully controlled environments to regulate digestion, immune function, and overall health. Therefore, even short periods of inadequate care can compromise their well-being and cause significant stress.
Research suggests the troubling conditions documented at this reptile expo are far from unusual. Studies examining reptile expos have found that animals are frequently kept in environments that fail to meet minimum welfare standards. Indicators of distress are extremely common. These include attempts to escape from transparent containers, hyperactivity, hyperalertness, rapid movement, and head-hiding.
Stressful Handling & Forced Contact
Animal Justice also observed animals being handled by the public, including children. Snakes, porcupines, and baby kangaroos were made available for handling with seemingly little regard for the animals’ stress or safety. For wild animals, repeated handling in unfamiliar, chaotic, crowded environments can cause significant distress. We believe these conditions and constant handling violate Alberta’s animal protection laws.
One especially disturbing display featured multiple species stacked together on a table. What appears to be a bearded dragon was placed beside a ball python, who was draped over a large Burmese python. Attendees were encouraged to touch the animals.
A Risk to Public Health
Beyond animal suffering, reptile expos also raise serious public health concerns.
Stressed animals concentrated in crowded indoor spaces create ideal conditions for the spread of pathogens and parasites. Reptiles are known carriers of zoonotic diseases, including Salmonella, which can spread to humans through direct contact or contaminated surfaces. When hundreds of people handle animals repeatedly throughout the day, the risk of disease transmission increases significantly.
Wild Animals Deserve Better
While recent amendments to Alberta’s Animal Protection Act will expand the definition of “distress” and standards of care, which have promise for better protection for exotic animals and reptiles, protections for these animals remain dangerously weak. Reptiles are intelligent, sensitive, and sentient beings with complex physical and behavioural needs. They’re not inventory to be confined and stacked in plastic containers.
Animal Justice is urging the Calgary SPCA to investigate these conditions and take meaningful action to protect animals in the exotic pet trade.
Join our mailing list to stay updated on our legal fight for exotic animals and help us end this cruelty.
