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Kelowna  

Lights out, crocodile

1:45 p.m. update:

FortisBC contacted Castanet to say that they have been working with Croc Talk for more than five years in attempts to reduce their outstanding balance and find a timeframe for repayment that worked for both parties. 

This is contrary to Illman's claim that his power was disconnected without notice.

"We've been talking with the customer almost daily leading up to the disconnection of their power," Fortis spokesperson David Wylie said. "It hit a point where we did have to make that really hard decision. We have an obligation to our other customers to collect on overdue accounts."

Wylie said Fortis tried to make a decision that would be best for the survival of the animals. Getting the power back on at Croc Talk would require some cash, and a strong commitment on how and when Croc Talk would pay their outstanding balance.


Some exotic fish and reptiles are at risk of dying and a local business is being threatened after Fortis cut the power off at Croc Talk in Kelowna Thursday.

Croc Talk has been in Kelowna for more than 20 years but this year has been particularly difficult for owner Doug Illman.

Permitting issues with the city stopped them from doing business at the beginning of the summer, and now that the tourists have left, missing that early business has made it difficult to make ends meet.

"The reality is, the power is off and I can't get my generator started," Illman said. "Animals will perish very soon."

Illman said he didn't receive any notices from Fortis warning that power would be cut off. What he did receive was a bill for $6,400 which he says he cannot afford to pay. 

"All of our ponds are thermostatically controlled, we regulate water and air temperature so this is a really bad time for Fortis to shut me down over $6,400," he said. "The crocodillians are probably OK in here, but within a couple of hours all my fish are going to die. Fish need air, I'm really feeling guilty."

Illman said he doesn't have any ill-will towards Fortis, but the payments he has been making were not enough to keep the lights on. 

"We are a non-profit organization, but it's hard to raise money for reptiles when people care more about raising money for cuddly animals."

Croc Talk was incorporated as a non-profit last March.

Croc Talk's location at 4493A Stewart Road East in Kelowna has always made business difficult; they're way off the highway and in an agricultural zone, not an industrial one. But raising the money to get into a permanent location has been the struggle. 

"We've been on this property for nine years, and people have been supportive of that," Illman said. "But this has always been a temporary location, which is a problem. With the real estate situation as it is in this community, it's overwhelming."

Illman said other than the kangaroo farm in Winfield, Croc Talk is the only remaining business that's really geared towards educating and entertaining children in Kelowna.

In a worst case scenario, Illman said he has had a very generous offer from a zoo in Alberta, although he would not mention which. However, Illman doesn't want to leave.

"There's no reason Croc Talk can't succeed in Kelowna without a little help. We have things here you can't see anywhere else in North America," he said. "Kelowna is my home, I love Kelowna, love the environment, why should I have to leave? 

 

 

 



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