Indian River Reptile Zoo
"Driving along Highway 12 just outside Peterborough, Ontario, you happen upon an amazing find. The Indian River Reptile Zoo looks unassuming, with its unusual display of large granite slabs on its front lawn, but to look further shows its importance. This unique and modern facility showcases a wide variety of snakes, lizards, monitors, turtles, alligators and crocodiles as well as a few charming cotton-top tamarin. Set in a country landscape on a rolling hill, the zoo offers the experience of nature walks through original growth cedars, with trails featuring new outdoor exhibits of reptiles native to Ontario.
With over 300 reptiles and more CITES I species, those threatened with extinction, than any other zoo in the country, the Indian River Reptile Zoo is not only the only accredited reptile zoo in Canada but was also the fastest accredited zoo in North America. Open from May to October, the Zoo‘s owner/curator Bry Loyst, friend of Zoo Tours, gave the crew an insider tour of his amazing facility. Not only do they offer well maintained and naturally set exhibits, but also strive to educate and in so have not only an education room to watch footage, read literature or reflect on your visit but also provide live-animal presentations.
A momentous achievement for the Zoo was when Terri Irwin, wife of the late Steve Irwin and owner of the celebrated Australia Zoo announced that the Indian River Reptile Zoo would be the recipient of a breeding pair of perentie monitors. Native to Australia the perentie is the largest of the monitor lizards. To provide a home for these two rare captive bred reptiles the Zoo needs your assistance. With its recent charitable status the Indian River Reptile Zoo is asking the public for help to allow the Zoo to provide the best environment they can for them.
The Indian River Reptile Zoo’s mission is to reach as many people about the importance of reptiles, some of nature’s most misunderstood animals, and to dispel myths and legends by teaching the value of these fascinating creatures through exciting, educational and interactive programs. We here at Naked Mole Rat Productions respect the Indian River Reptile Zoo’s mission and look forward to visiting and working with them again soon and encourage those who haven’t already visited to do so."
