A maritime zoo says it is overrun by abandoned snakes and exotic reptiles.
The Maritime Reptile Zoo in Dartmouth, N.S., is one of the only local zoos equipped to handle exotic animals. Curator Mike MacDonald says the zoo has taken in ten of them in the past two weeks alone and simply can’t handle any more.
"Basically they're coming in faster than we can put enclosures in place for them to be here," says MacDonald.
Wildlife officials say they try to place the animals in licensed zoos, but it's a slow process and lack of shelters is another major factor.
Experts say the problem could be curbed dramatically if people were more careful in considering the kind of pet they want and what’s involved in caring the animal.
With files from CTV's Jayson Baxter
