Busted Update

My source tells me that various local animal protection agencies (maybe the SPCA and the Humane Society, my source couldn't confirm for certain which agencies) had been in to check out the reptilian zoo in Kits. Apparently the owner of the reptiles is a Zoology student and the various local animal protection agencies who visited were happy with the living conditions for the reptiles in the apartment.

The crocodile survived its fall with minor injuries - some minor bruising and a dislocated digit.

My source also told me that the fate of the human inhabitants of the apartment was still undecided. The building manager didn't have a problem with the large number of pets even though the building has a no pets policy, but the building owner wasn't so sure.

More Busted!

click for larger image

Close to 30 reptiles including one Florida soft-shelled tortoise, were discovered in a Kitsilano apartment following the capture of a five-foot caiman outside the apartment on Tuesday.

Seems this story is a very popular one with the papers and the local radios at the moment.

From CKNW:

Just how exotic is Kitsilano?
Jun, 29 2006 - 12:30 AM

VANCOUVER/CKNW(AM980) - After nearly 30 exotic reptiles, including a five-foot alligator, were found at a Kitsilano apartment, a Vancouver City Councillor is hoping the incident will rally support for a bylaw to ban exotic pets.

Councillor Kim Capri says a bylaw is needed because the general public doesn't always know how to care for exotic pets, "The environment appeared to be sound and it was somebody who I believe was studying zoology who was keeping them, and yet you have situation where an animal has fallen off a building and they were probably trying to escape a situation where they were in distress."

Capri says City staff are studying several options for a possible exotic animal bylaw, but the options won't be presented to Council until the fall.

Busted!!

click for larger image

A crocodile fell 10 metres out of the window of a Kitsilano apartment yesterday. Neighbours called police. The animal was taken to UBC for a veterinary exam.

Apparently this little guy and his owner, a UBC Zoology student, made all the local TV news and the Island news last night. Hmmm...