A wide range of vehicles make the Tsawwassen to Swartz Bay ferry crossing on a daily basis, but few can say they boast a habitat fit for a Cuban rock iguana or an albino bull snake.
When Jeff McKay, better known as Safari Jeff, makes the trip across the Straight of Georgia next week, he'll be bringing 10 exotic animals in his 40-foot, custom-designed touring bus, complete with dens for den-dwelling animals and an arboreal habitat for those who prefer trees.
"Their care is 110 per cent of what we do. It's all about the animals. They really are the stars," he said.
McKay will be at Westshore Town Centre from March 24 to 26 for a series of shows featuring snakes, iguanas and tortoises, giving kids of all ages a chance to get up close and personal with animals they've often only seen on television.
The Ottawa native and Red Deer-based performer also encompasses music and a background video into his performance, making this a meticulously choreographed 30-minute presentation.
His journey with animals started at the age of 13, when he had his first show at a library in the Ottawa suburb of Kanata. Since those humble beginnings, he's performed on television in Canada and the U.S. and recently had an extended run in Las Vegas.
"It's been a lifetime for me," he said, recalling his first memories with animals when he was a toddler. "When I was learning my first words I was also catching snakes at the cottage."
While he strives to make his shows highly entertaining, noting that his goal is to leave audiences wanting more, he also stresses education, especially when it comes to children.
"I refer to it as a very 'edutaining' show ... The program is designed to teach us all about the balance and harmony of nature and how animals play different, very positive roles in their natural habitat. All living things are connected," he explained.
His 2017 tour is titled The Great Green Adventure. Safari Jeff will perform two shows a day B次元官网网址� at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. B次元官网网址� during his three-day run in Langford.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com
