Sudbury got a whole lot wilder this past weekend, as Little Ray's Nature Centre travelling show made its triumphant return to the north, exotic animals in toe.
The exhibit included 30 live animals, such as opossum, alligator, armadillo, owl and many more mammals, snakes and birds. The festival was held Thursday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the United Steelworkers Hall, where guests could peruse exhibits in addition to enjoying the two half-hour, hands-on educational programs rotating every 45 minutes.
Little Ray's Reptile Zoo is the largest exotic animal rescue in Eastern Ontario, with locations in Hamilton, Halifax and Ottawa, in addition to a second Ottawa facility to be opened July 1. Founded by the husband and wife team of Sheri and Paul 'Little Ray' Goulet in November of 2000, Little Ray's strives to protect nature's wildlife through conservation, rehabilitation and education.
The majority of animals under Little Ray's care are considered rescues, due to illegal ownership, overcrowded facilities, species endangerment, or voluntary submission from an overwhelmed pet owner. As a result, a large portion of Little Ray's presentations focus on responsible pet ownership.
Each of the exhibits accompany a description of the animal's environment as well as the care they require, said Little Ray's chief operating officer Julie Beaulieu, so that a potential pet owner can make an informed decision.
"Ideally, I would like to be out of the job," said Beaulieu.
In addition to encouraging responsible pet ownership, education plays a considerable part in Little Ray's conservation efforts. The protection of the Burmese big head tortoise for example, which Little Ray is currently building a specialized facility for, is considered a major food source for Indigenous people, said Beaulieu.
Rehabilitation is about more than seperating endangered species such as the Burmese big head tortoise, (believed to have a population below 300) it is about educating populations on sustainable agriculture and development, Beaulieu said.
Little Ray's traveling team come from a variety of educational backgrounds said Beaulieu, but even the volunteer's of each new city are trained in animal care. According to Beaulieu, founder Paul 'Little Ray' Goulet discovered his love of animals in meeting a boa constrictor during a visit to Ottawa's Museum of Natural History.
"It was that moment of touching that boa constrictor and feeling that strength, that power, that beauty of it - that sparked this complete passion for animals and conservation," said Beaulieu.
"So every opportunity to have people interact with the animals and actually feel a connection to those animals, to us, is the most efficient way to inspire action, true conservation, true education," said Beaulieu.
While Beaulieu could not recall just how many year's Little Ray's has been visiting Greater Sudbury, she said it's the "amazing community" that keeps the team coming back.
"(The community is) very respectful, very encouraging - they love to see what we have and we love sharing it with them," said Beaulieu.
Find out more about Little Ray's Nature Centre here, or visit Little Ray's Reptile Zoo webpage to plan your next visit.
