Bry Loyst, Curator, Indian River Reptile Zoo with Terri Irwin.

The Perentie (Varanus giganteus) is the largest Australian monitor lizard. They are dark in colour, grey or brown with rows of light coloured spots or stripes. They display a forked tongue, a long slender neck, flattened head, strong tail, powerful legs with 5 clawed toes. They have numerous sharp curved backward pointing teeth and excrete toxic venom with their bite. These lizards can grow to a length in excess of 2.5 meters and weigh up to 15kg.

YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED

Terri Irwin, wife of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, and owner of the renowned Australia Zoo announced February,2007, that Indian River Reptile Zoo would be the recipient of a breeding pair of Perentie Monitors.

Indian River Reptile Zoo will be one of only two zoos in North America to have these amazing animals on display.

This gift to Canada was in gratitude for Canada's support of Steve Irwin's early films. Canada was the first country to support Steve in his efforts to educate the world concerning reptiles.

We need to expand our zoo to provide a home for these two rare captive bred reptiles.

Contributions have started to come in from local businesses and we invite everyone to become a sponsor. Donations can be sent by cheque or money order to: Indian River Reptile Fund, R.R.#3, Indian River, Ontario, K0L, 2BO. Donations can also be made secuely over the internet via Paypal

Bry Loyst, Curator, Indian River Reptile Zoo with Bindi Irwin

OUR ZOO IS A SANCTUARY

Many people do not realize that reptiles are abandoned just like cats and dogs. Sadly, over 90% of people that purchase reptiles at pet stores do not keep the reptile. These animals frequently die due to improper care, many are given up because they have grown too large, lived too long or are too difficult to care for etc. When animals are seized by Canadian Wildlife Services, the Ministry of Natural Resources, OSPCA or Humane Society Officers

Steve "The Crocodile Hunter" Irwin

the reptiles are brought to Indian River Reptile Zoo. In order to house and care for these animals and others that we rescue, we have started a non-profit charity called The Indian River Reptile Fund.

This fund will also support the expansion of enclosures for the animals at the zoo and the construction of an enclosure to house the Perentie Monitors gifted to our zoo by the Irwin family and the Australia Zoo.

STEVE IRWIN

After the death of Steve Irwin last year, his daughter, Bindi vowed to carry on her father's legendary work. Along with her mother, Terri, Bindi is continuing Steve's mission to educate the world on the value of reptiles to our ecosystem.