Since 1992
Print and digital marketing
by Bill Van Tassel
GRAY — Abby, Burnie, Janis, Paladin, Kobe, Wendy. These are a few of the names Mr. Drew has given to his animals over the years he has been keeping, caring for and showing exotic species for more than 30 years. Drew shows them in all sorts of venues from birthday parties to public events and school groups. He recently visited the Maine Wildlife Park, 56 Game Farm Road, Route 26.
Drew Desjardins has been interested in animal from childhood and likely part of earning of his Eagle Scout status at age 16 had something to do with creatures from the water’s edge or the woods. He has operated a pet store, an aquarium maintenance service, and became a rehabilitator for injured or neglected exotic animals in order to find homes for them. In addition, he has kept some critters for educational purposes. He also acts as a guide at Lewiston’s Thorncrag Bird Sanctuary and Mt. Apatite Geological Park in Auburn.
As an expert in the care and handling of many kinds of animals — exotic or not — he makes sure, when talking with guests at his programs, they understand the hard work and the cautions of keeping animals outside the usual categories of dogs and cats. At the Wildlife Park, as he kissed every animal he brought there (snakes, lizards, tortoise and turtles), indicating one must also show the odd pets you really care for them. Surprise faces were everywhere when he smooched Burnie, the Columbian Red Tail boa. The name Burnie is no joke; the snake had been purposely set on fire by some inconsiderate owners before Mr. Drew took him in.
Mr. Drew also brought to this show a black and white kingsnake, an Argentine tegu (lizard), several tortoises and a Red Ear Slider turtle. A red-eared slider turtle is the #1 public enemy in the State of Maine, he noted. These turtles, for many years, were common pets. In 2010, they became illegal in Maine because they are a highly invasive species.
For more information on Mr. Drew, go to www.facebook.com/mrdrewandhisanimalstoo.
