|
Over two decades, 67-year-old reptile enthusiast Philippe Gillet
has amassed a collection of more than 400 phobia-inducing
animals, including rattlesnakes, tarantulas and lizards in his
home in western France near the city of Nantes.
Gillet says the two alligators, named Ali and Gator, were
rescued from a leather farm but most of the animals are pets
that outstayed their welcome elsewhere and have been abandoned
or donated.
"I think it's unfair to treat these animals the way we do
because we don't understand them," he told Reuters after feeding
chicken to his alligators.
"We don't understand them, we hate them, we think they're
horrible. But when we get to know them, you can call them over,
tell them to come and eat something for example."
Gillet says he has all the necessary permits to keep and
transport the animals for roadshows which he runs to raise
awareness about reptiles.
He insists the locals do not mind their unusual neighbors and
regularly pop in for coffee, safe in the knowledge that the most
dangerous snakes are kept in a room behind two sets of doors.
But the local fire department is more cautious: they are under
instructions not to enter his house in an emergency.
(Reporting Udi Kivity. Writing by Johnny Cotton. Editing by
Patrick Johnston and Robin Pomeroy)
[© 2018 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.] Copyright 2018 Reuters. All rights reserved. This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content.
|
|
