Your Vancouver Province

Croc man wants exotic critters halted at border
The Canadian Press
Published: Friday, May 18, 2007

KELOWNA -- The operator of Canada's only crocodile education centre is calling on the federal government to close the borders to dangerous exotic animals.

Doug Illman, who runs Croc Talk in Kelowna, said the mauling death of a woman by a captive tiger near 100 Mile House last week is a reminder that rules governing large cats, venomous snakes and other exotic pets are too lax.

"You have to stop the borders. You can't have animals come over the border with people who are not licensed to care for them," said Illman.

Tanya Dumstrey-Soos, 32, was standing near the tiger's cage in a private zoo-like ranch when the animal clawed at her legs. She bled to death despite the efforts of the children of the facility's owner, Kim Carlton.

SPCA officials had safety concerns about tigers at the ranch and wanted to remove them but, without clear guidelines, they couldn't take action.

B.C. Agriculture Minister Pat Bell has said the province is conducting a review of its animal regulations in the wake of the tiger mauling.

Meanwhile, Illman said the need is there to do something. "The public cannot be left at risk with these large and dangerous animals," he said.

Ilman keeps 20 exotic animals, including 18 crocodiles, in ponds behind tempered glass in his Okanagan facility. He has shown the creatures to more than 12,000 visitors, including school groups, in the past three years.