Kids are petting snakes, parents are snapping selfies with lizards, and somewhere in the crowd, a giant python named Popcorn is stealing the spotlight. Prairie Exotics is back at the Winkler Harvest Festival this weekend (August 8-10), and it’s not your average petting zoo.
“I found a bearded dragon and I fell in love with this spiky little lizard that eats bugs. It was so cool. Shortly after, I made the mistake many people do and I got her a boyfriend… and one thing led to another, and all of a sudden I had a whole room full of reptiles.” – Steven Rempel, sharing how Prairie Exotics got started
An 80-acre sanctuary for the unusual and unexpected
Steven Rempel is the owner and operator of Prairie Exotics, an exotic animal sanctuary based on an 80-acre farm near Ste. Genevieve, Manitoba. But this is no hobby farm. From coast to coast, animals like Burmese pythons, parrots, anacondas, and even an alligator have found their way to Rempel’s care.
“We are an exotic sanctuary, so we take in animals from across the country,” said Rempel. “We have an alligator from out of Saskatoon. We had a parrot and an anaconda come from Prince Edward Island. Popcorn, our giant Burmese python, came from Vancouver Island.”
These creatures now live out their lives on Rempel’s sprawling rural property, which includes both domestic animals like pigs, chickens, and goats, and the more scaly or spiky residents: reptiles, amphibians, arachnids, and more.
Falling in love with a bearded dragon
Rempel’s path to running a full-time exotic animal sanctuary wasn’t planned. He previously worked in tech, but with a sudden career change, he pivoted toward his passion.
“I found a bearded dragon and I fell in love with this spiky little lizard that eats bugs. It was so cool,” said Rempel. “Shortly after, I made the mistake many people do and I got her a boyfriend… and one thing led to another, and all of a sudden I had a whole room full of reptiles.”
That hobby turned into a business in 2010, and by 2012, Prairie Exotics became his full-time job.
“Instead of just trying to save every animal, I’m trying to prevent animals from needing to be saved. Try to get ahead of the problem.” – Steven Rempel, owner, Prairie Exotics.
Up close and educational at Winkler Harvest Festival
Rempel and his team will be set up inside the Meridian Exhibition Centre for the entire weekend of the Winkler Harvest Festival, bringing along approximately 20 different species, ranging from snakes and tarantulas to parrots and geckos.
“We bring a mix because not everyone likes the same thing,” Rempel explained. “So we usually have like one tarantula, one scorpion, a couple frogs, a couple geckos, other lizards, a couple snakes, maybe a hedgehog and a bird or something like that.”
In addition to viewing the animals, visitors will also get the chance to interact with them—and even hold a few.
“Throughout the display we usually have at least a bearded dragon and usually a ball python sitting out on the table for everyone,” said Rempel. “As well as the interaction of touching something.”
Now presenting…
Prairie Exotics will also host live presentations at 2:00, 4:00, and 6:00 PM on Saturday and Sunday, with shorter sessions at 4:00 and 6:00 PM on Friday.
“These are 25 to 30 minute presentations where we walk everyone through each of the animals on display and talk about where they live, what they do, what they eat, all that kind of stuff.”
Rempel says it’s all about helping the public understand these animals—and maybe even debunk a few myths.
“Instead of just trying to save every animal, I’m trying to prevent animals from needing to be saved. Try to get ahead of the problem.”
He explains that many people adopt exotic pets without fully understanding the long-term commitment or proper care required. Turtles, for example, can live up to 60 years and require far more upkeep than people expect.
From wide eyes to repeat visitors
Rempel says the best part of the job is seeing kids light up when they get close to the animals—and some of those kids have now grown up and return with their own children.
“It is amazing. The interactions are great. Watching the faces… it’s just so much fun,” said Rempel. “I’ve had points where this kid was 14 when I started. Now they’re married, they have their own kids, and they’re already coming back through. And that’s pretty awesome.”