STAR PHOENIX (Saskatoon) 06 August 03 Pair brings reptiles out of shell at Ex: Turtles, snakes, lizards a hit with fairgoers (Shannon Boklaschuk)
To some they may seem creepy, slimy or downright scary, but showcasing the world's reptilian creatures is both a passion and a career for two Albertans.
Dean Harper and James Barbas, the Olds, Alta. residents behind Wrappin About Reptiles, make a living travelling to schools, malls, fairs and festivals throughout Western Canada -- always bringing with them a variety of snakes, turtles, toads and lizards.
"As well, we wrangle reptiles for the TV and movie industry," Harper said in an interview Tuesday.
"It sounds difficult, but actually it's quite easy. You want a snake to go from Point A to Point B. We just point his head in that direction; usually he'll go.
"It may take six or seven takes, but we get it done," said Harper, who has worked on movies including the Jackie Chan hit Shanghai Noon.
This week, the pair can be found at the Saskatoon Exhibition, complete with Thing, a four-metre, 70-pound Burmese python who hatched in Harper's hand seven years ago.
Another crowd-pleaser is Mortimer, an 85-pound, 33-year-old African tortoise, who could live to be 250 years old. And then there's a cute Rococo toad, who's actually a television star.
"He's very popular over in England and Sweden right now," Harper said.
While it's Barbas' and Harper's first time at the Saskatoon Exhibition, it's not their first time in the City of Bridges. Two years ago, they were here working on a movie called The Impossible Elephant.
"That was our first time coming to Saskatoon and we loved it," Harper said. "So we're really glad to be back here this time."
Located in Hall A at the Ex, Wrappin About Reptiles runs daily at 2, 4, 5:30, 7:30 and 9:45 p.m. Harper said the point of the show is to give people a chance to look at unique animals from throughout the world, which they may never see otherwise "due to habitat destruction.
"A lot of these animals are losing out quickly. Another problem is the fashion industry. A lot of snakes are being destroyed at outrageous numbers for wallets, purses, et cetera," he said.
"So this gives people an opportunity to see these animals up close. We do bring select animals out for people to touch.
"Really, the whole point is just to give the people the opportunity to experience these animals. They are the most misunderstood and most feared creatures in the world," Harper said.
And reptiles are certainly dear to Harper's heart. Since the age of five, he's "had something to do with reptiles," even becoming a pet-store manager by age 17.
Today, Harper's show is a combination of education and entertainment, or "edu-tainment." And the term seems to be fitting, since his reptile career was essentially born in 1995, when he did his very first show at an Olds school.
"The teacher across the street saw me with one of my big 12-foot pythons out on the front lawn one day, and went, 'Is that going to get me? No, it won't? OK, cool. Would you come to the school,' " Harper recalled.
"And it just evolved from that point.
Kids are amazing. Their eyes get to be the size of saucers," he said.