A resolution being brought to the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) annual general meeting could see most reptiles and exotics banned in B.C. <\/p>\n
The resolution is being brought forward by the City of Port Moody to ban all mobile live animal programs and "prohibit the import, keeping, breeding and transport of all exotic species. Port Moody is also asking that the existing negative list of prohibited species be replaced with a positive list of permitted species. <\/p>\n
For Kelowna's Michael Wood, the resolution would put an end to his business Okanagan Days<\/a>. <\/p>\n Wood keeps and produces day geckos. He said the ones he keeps are on endangered species lists, but most are not of high concern. <\/p>\n "However, lygodactylus williamsi… They are critically endangered," Wood said of one of the species he breeds. "They come from a small area in the wild and they are almost non-existent there now. So, operations like mine, where I'm keeping and producing multiple genetic lines for these, are actually helping keep these animals available and alive and potentially for reintroduction at some point in the future if that becomes a possibility."<\/p>\n Reasons behind the resolution include the spread of zoonotic diseases. <\/p>\n "When you're talking about reptiles and amphibians you are talking about cold blooded animals, whereas, people are mammals," Wood explained. "The risk of transmission of anything actually hopping from one species to another is almost zero to begin with."<\/p>\n Wood added that it's important to wash your hands after handling or petting an animal. <\/p>\n "It's really being overblown."<\/p>\n Wood said he'd like an explanation as to why it must be a complete ban.<\/p>\n "It's potentially the end of the industry and the end of the hobby. It's something that should be taken very seriously."<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Okanagan Days owner Michael Wood talks about NR75, a resolution being brought to the @UBCM<\/a> agm that could effectively ban all reptiles and exotics in B.C. @KelownaCapNews<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/zWcmYiLjf3<\/a><\/p>\n — Brittany Webster (@thebrittwebster) September 8, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n