interview with kenan Harkin
Kenan Harkin is a former BMX pro, today Kenan runs an extremely large reptile center, where he rescues, cares for and rehabilitates reptiles. Kenan sometimes has up to 500 different reptiles including turtles, tortoises, and even an alligator.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/9/4/25947828/4984199.jpg)
1.) What is a typical day of tending for your animals like?
My typical day starts at 8:30 to get up and let the animals out of their heated shelters(during winter in Florida). I then begin preparing the animals food. Then I distribute the food to the 500 diff animals here at my facility. I am always checking for eggs and cleaning enclosures and water sources. Sometimes I have sick animals that require me to administer antibiotics. Today, I had to flip over a 350lbs Galapagos Tortoise to take blood to check for infections. I'll also run to the local wildlife sanctuary to help out or pick up animals to house here. Then it's time to get the animals into their shelters for the night.
2.)How do you obtain your animals?
Some animals I purchased many yes ago as pet, but most come from the Turtle Survival Alliance for me to breed and create "assurance" colonies. Many turtles and tortoises are under threat of extinction because of habitat loss, collection for the pet trade and for food. The TSA(turtle survival alliance) mission is to keep wild turtles wild, but curb the illegally wildlife trade by allowing members to breed and sell captive animals. This way we don't continue to poach from nature.
3.)How did you get involved in working with animals?
I've always loved reptiles since I saw my first Godzilla movie! They are fascinating and I enjoy seeing the beauty in the critters that make most people fearful! I began when I got my first turtle at six. I have always has reptiles and when I moved to Florida in '04 I began building my reptile haven. Now I breed these animals to sell, and do educational programs for schools to help students learn more about them.
4.)What rights do you believe animals have?
That is a tricky question. I'm not opposed to eating animals but I believe that all life should be respected. I would like to see more free range domestic animals rather than the factory farms supplying meat. Simply, animals should be provided with a safe, healthy life while in human care. I'm not against pets, but think people should be more educated before getting one. Finally human encroachment on wild lands needs to be curbed to allow wild animals the room to exist.
5.)Do animals have responsibilities if so what?
Animals have the responsibility to live and reproduce:)
6.)Do people have any responsibilities to animals?if so what?
We have a responsibility to be good stewards or caretakers of Earth. We should pay more attention to environmental need of the creatures we share the planet with. The biggest problem is ignorance. If more people are educated about animals and the ecosystems they inhabit.
My typical day starts at 8:30 to get up and let the animals out of their heated shelters(during winter in Florida). I then begin preparing the animals food. Then I distribute the food to the 500 diff animals here at my facility. I am always checking for eggs and cleaning enclosures and water sources. Sometimes I have sick animals that require me to administer antibiotics. Today, I had to flip over a 350lbs Galapagos Tortoise to take blood to check for infections. I'll also run to the local wildlife sanctuary to help out or pick up animals to house here. Then it's time to get the animals into their shelters for the night.
2.)How do you obtain your animals?
Some animals I purchased many yes ago as pet, but most come from the Turtle Survival Alliance for me to breed and create "assurance" colonies. Many turtles and tortoises are under threat of extinction because of habitat loss, collection for the pet trade and for food. The TSA(turtle survival alliance) mission is to keep wild turtles wild, but curb the illegally wildlife trade by allowing members to breed and sell captive animals. This way we don't continue to poach from nature.
3.)How did you get involved in working with animals?
I've always loved reptiles since I saw my first Godzilla movie! They are fascinating and I enjoy seeing the beauty in the critters that make most people fearful! I began when I got my first turtle at six. I have always has reptiles and when I moved to Florida in '04 I began building my reptile haven. Now I breed these animals to sell, and do educational programs for schools to help students learn more about them.
4.)What rights do you believe animals have?
That is a tricky question. I'm not opposed to eating animals but I believe that all life should be respected. I would like to see more free range domestic animals rather than the factory farms supplying meat. Simply, animals should be provided with a safe, healthy life while in human care. I'm not against pets, but think people should be more educated before getting one. Finally human encroachment on wild lands needs to be curbed to allow wild animals the room to exist.
5.)Do animals have responsibilities if so what?
Animals have the responsibility to live and reproduce:)
6.)Do people have any responsibilities to animals?if so what?
We have a responsibility to be good stewards or caretakers of Earth. We should pay more attention to environmental need of the creatures we share the planet with. The biggest problem is ignorance. If more people are educated about animals and the ecosystems they inhabit.