Critters from around the world filled the Vernon Curling Club as Cobb’s Exotic Animal Rescue brought its Wildlife Festival to the city for the first time.
The festival started May 31 and runs until June 2. It features a wide array of animals, some of which can be interacted with, from reptiles to warm-blooded mammals.
“It’s an interactive animal education program,” said Jeremy Oviatt, tour manager for the Wildlife Festival. “We give the opportunity for people to come out and see and interact with some animals that they normally wouldn’t see on a daily basis, outside of a zoo or an animal park.”
The festival’s biggest draw is Dizzy the three-year-old sloth, who is always up for a good back-scratch. Dizzy, who came to Cobb’s from a park in Florida, is available for private encounters at the festival.
“People love to come out and see her, and if they’re lucky enough to get a jump on sales, they get to go in and interact with her,” said Oviatt.
Kristen VandenBroek, in charge of primary mammal care with Cobb’s, said Dizzy is “the sweetest sloth I’ve ever worked with.”
Being a sloth, Dizzy sleeps 18 to 22 hours a day, but she perks up when she’s offered a tasty snack while lounging in her bed.
“I’ve had people cry this weekend already just to see her, “she added.
There are plenty of other animals to see, including red kangaroos, wallabies, an African crested porcupine, a prehensile tailed porcupine, tortoises, large boa constrictors and a host of other smaller reptiles.
Many of the animals are rescues, and the event highlights the importance of keeping the well-being of exotic animals in mind before purchasing them as pets.
Oviatt said the turnout for the festival so far has been “incredible.”
“Yesterday was beyond what we could have hoped for, and today from what we’ve seen so far from our online sales is going to be another crazy busy day,” he said Saturday morning.
Saturday morning from 10 to 11 a.m. was a quiet hour, where people with sensitivities were invited to come and see the Wildlife Festival when it’s less crowded.
Live performances are taking place at the Curling Club throughout the weekend.
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