Lethbridge was home to some exotic animals over the weekend. Little Ray’s Wildlife Festival made it’s home in Lethbridge’s Expo Centre for three days. It’s a traveling event that teaches kids about exotic and domestic animals.

The Expo Centre was filled with 30 different exhibits showcasing wildlife from around the world.

Guests had the chance to see a wide variety of animals, from owls, a sloth and caiman, to hamsters, rabbits and leopard geckos.

The walls of the exhibits were lined with information of the animals within and other species from around the world.

Kid-friendly informational sessions were held twice every hour about animals. One show was about reptiles and allowed kids to interact with a giant reticulated python, a black tarantula and a juvenile caiman.

The interactive lessons were a big hit with the crowd, especially the kids

Kayla Seguin has been with Little Ray’s nature centre for almost a year and is the primary caretaker for Chloe, their two toed sloth. She says her career with Little Ray’s started after she saw the good the company does.

“They came to my town and I volunteered for them. Later I learned how amazing of a company they are, being the largest exotic animal rescue in North America,” said Seguin. “I get to educate the public as to why we don’t want these animals in captivity or as pets, they belong in the wild.”

There were many other animals on display, but Chloe was without a doubt, the star of the show.

What makes all the animals on display here even more special is the fact they’re rescuees.

Little Ray’s nature centre doesn’t take animals from the wild; they take them from places where they’re not being cared for properly. Part of the purpose of the exhibit is to teach people about the importance of taking care of animals in the home and others in the wild.

A point, which was repeated, is that wild animals should remain that way.