Proposed reptile zoo slides off the city’s agenda again
Reptilia withdraws application for St. Catharines bylaw amendment for Fairview Mall location for second time
The debate over whether St. Catharines should allow a reptile zoo to operate in Fairview Mall was stopped before it started for the second time this year.
Reptilia Inc., which operates permanent and mobile zoos in Vaughan and Whitby, withdrew its application for an exemption to St. Catharines’ animal bylaw before Monday’s scheduled city council meeting to deal with the issue.
City clerk Bonnie Nistico-dunk told council the planned public meeting to amend the animal bylaw wasn’t taking place because the executive director of the city’s animal services provider could not be in attendance for the meeting and Reptilia felt its questions could not be addressed appropriately.
She said Reptilia’s legal team is also reviewing provincial licences that may affect its request in the long term.
“They respect council’s time and pass on their regrets,” she said.
St. Catharines’ bylaw restricts certain animals such as venomous snakes and crocodiles from being allowed within city limits. Reptilia applied for an exemption to the bylaw so some of the animals under the ban could be part of an attraction in the former Ikea store at the Geneva Street mall.
A public meeting was scheduled for Jan. 17 but at the request of Reptilia it was moved to Jan. 31.
On Jan. 31, Reptilia withdrew its application. President Brian Child told The Standard at that time the company wanted time to prepare responses to letters to council by animal rights-related parties.
The company submitted a new request for a bylaw exemption on March 9 and a public meeting was scheduled for this Monday.
The city received several letters of
opposition from animal welfare groups raising concerns about care, potential escapes and transmission of disease, along with communications of support, including from people who signed a Reptilia petition.
City staff supported the bylaw exemption.
Reptilia is also in the process of trying to open a zoo in a mall in London, Ont., which banned zoos in 2011and turned down an application from Reptilia in 2018.
The London Free Press newspaper reported the company has since received a licence from the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines and Natural Resources to keep game wildlife and specifically protected wildlife at the London location, but the licence limits it to displaying native Ontario species.
Toronto city council turned down a bylaw amendment request in December from Reptilia to open an attraction at Harbourfront after its city staff recommended against it.