Whoop-Up Days Wildlife Festival gives close look at reptiles

By Alejandra Pulido-Guzman - Lethbridge Herald on August 26, 2023.

Herald photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Wildlife Festival volunteer Sam Weber holds a bearded dragon for Rhys Van De Werken to pet at the Wildlife Festival Living Dragons exhibit during Whoop-Up Days at the Agri-food Hub and Trade Centre.

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com

Whoop-Up Days continued to provide plenty of entertainment this week and the Wildlife Festival offered those in attendance a chance to interact with a few different types of reptiles.

Those entering the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre through the main doors had the opportunity to see Wildlife Festival volunteers holding a few reptiles shortly after getting through security.

The Wildlife Festival is taking part in Whoop-Up Days for the first time and they brought with them the Living Dragons exhibit.

Tour manager with the Wildlife Festival, Jeremy Oviatt said they are giving people the opportunity to meet some species and some animals that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to do so.

“We brought the Living Dragons exhibit and what that is, is using legend and lore of Dragons and the comparisons to modern day reptiles, different species, the similarities to certain types of Dragons from different cultures, from different pop culture, movies, TV shows and giving the opportunity to people to have one-on-one encounters, face to face meetings and pet them,” said Oviatt.

 He said some of the reptiles they have in the exhibit include a Cuban rock iguana which is a threatened species from Cuba, and he is one of only four in Canada.

 “We also have a black-throated monitor, which is one of the larger monitor species and it’s a close relative to the Komodo dragon, as well we have two large boa constrictors. Cupcake who we have with us is just over 8 feet long and she’s 11 years old,” said Oviatt.

 He said they also have a few smaller reptiles which include a frilled dragon, a black and white tegu and a couple of small snakes.

Oviatt said they had a steady stream of people coming through the exhibit, without being too crowded and that allowed to those in attendance to take their time interacting with the reptiles.

“It’s been super receptive, people have all seemed to really enjoy themselves and the staff here at the exhibition grounds have been amazing and very supportive,” said Oviatt.

 He said they became involved with Whoop-Up Days from being exhibitors with their regular programming in the past.

 “This year in our conversations with the Lethbridge and District Exhibition on our regular program, we asked about the possibility of being involved with Whoop-Up Days and they were more than happy to work with us and figure out how we could fit into that space,” said Oviatt.

 They will be bringing their full Wildlife Festival event back to Lethbridge at Lethbridge and District Exhibition on Feb. 2 to Feb. 4, 2024.

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