Submitted by Niagara, Ontario’s Niagara Parks Commission
Niagara Falls, Ontario – The Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory is pleased to present “Venom”, a new family friendly educational exhibit designed for the kid in us all. The travelling show, which was created by Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo, of Ottawa, will run February 9 to May 12.
The king cobra.
Little Ray’s popular interpreter, Kevin Dungey, AKA “Caiman Kevin”, will return to the Butterfly Conservatory, and in his unique and captivating style lead daily (except Wednesdays) educational programs and interactive sessions for the public. Visitors may remember Kevin from his participation in last season’s Animals of the Rainforest show, held at NPC’s Butterfly Conservatory.
New this year, the Venom exhibit will include tarantulas, scorpions, highly poisonous toads, rattlesnakes, vipers and one of only two king cobras on display in Canada.
The fully accessible Niagara Parks Butterfly Conservatory is located at 2565 Niagara Parkway, on the grounds of the Niagara Parks Botanical Gardens and School of Horticulture. The new exhibit is included with regular paid admission. For detailed information on the Conservatory, its hours of operation, admission and parking rates, as well as NPC’s attraction packages, please visit www.niagaraparks.com.
Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo is one of Canada’s largest sanctuaries for unwanted pet reptiles. None of the animals on display were taken from the wild.
NPC is committed to a vision of Ontario’s Niagara Parks as one that Preserves a rich heritage, Conserves natural wonders, and Inspires people world-wide. Founded in 1885, The Niagara Parks Commission is an Operational Enterprise Agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Sport. Its mission is to protect the natural and cultural heritage along the Niagara River for the enjoyment of visitors while maintaining financial self-sufficiency.
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Niagara At Large 
Little Ray’s Reptile Zoo claim they are a sanctuary, but their exhibit is also a revenue generator and I would hazard a guess that it has more to do with money that comes through the gate, then making the public realize that these animals should not be taken from the wild and should not be “pets”. Real sanctuaries do not trundle their animals from pillar to post and do not make a spectacle of the animals in their care.
I think it is a shame that this would be promoted in Niagara, where there are already so many reptiles that are regularly posted on kijiji, on community bulletin boards, through the humanes, etc. by people who have had no idea how to care for these animals but purchase them on a whim as a novelty. How many more will fall for this after seeing this “show” and think I-want-to-have-one-of-those-too….
It’s also interesting to note that 75% of purchased reptiles die within the first year in their new “homes”.
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