During Spring Break, a group of friends and I went to Niagara Falls, where we went to the Rainforest Cafe for a bite to eat. However, at the entrance of the restaurant, I was applaud by their mistreatment of reptiles.

There were two glass exhibits containing a pair of Red Footed Tortoises, and a African Rock Python:

Firstly, the enclosures were very badly set up. In terms of temperature, both tanks had only one heat lamp each, which no temperature monitoring devices. The ambient air as well as the cool zone temperatures must have be terrible, as the tanks were placed near the entrance of the restaurant where there was constantly cold drafts blowing in from outside. I do not know the specific requirements of these species, but from the messy substrate, and unfilled water bowl, the poor general condition of the enclosures, I cannot imagine how this can be an appealing decoration.

What upset me the most was how the guests were constantly knocking on the tanks, to get some kind of reaction from the reptiles, whom they treated not as animals but as live decoration or free entertainment. Also, the tanks were placed by where the guests line up and wait for their tables, thus a very noisily and busy area. Furthermore, there was not only no sign addressing not to knock on the tanks, but also, the staff members there did not stop any of this foul conduct. What was even more upsetting was the fact it was not only the kids who knocked on tanks, but adults also. Watching a parent knock on the glass while holding a child, was simply depressing. It is impossible not to understand knocking on the cage of an animal will stress out the animal. There is no excuse for this kind of behavior.



What can we do to stop this?