Edison Mall’s wild new tenants are turning heads and raising eyebrows
By Gina Tomlinson
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FORT MYERS, Fla. (WBBH) — Whether you’re mad about it or excited to see it, this new attraction has definitely brought the wild inside Edison Mall in Fort Myers.
Inside the Fort Myers shopping center, a new business called Exotic Animal Playground is offering visitors a chance to get up close with animals most people only see in zoos …. lemurs, otters, foxes, and even a spider monkey.
The business, which opened just over five weeks ago, lets guests book short, hands-on sessions with exotic animals. Owners Kayla and Kyle Kocon say the goal is to educate people about wildlife in a fun and personal way.
“They’re all baby animals, so they like the attention,” Kayla said. “It actually helps them with the socializing.”
Kocon says the animals are rescues or can’t live in the wild anymore. She says they spend their nights at a private sanctuary the couple runs and are only brought to the mall for limited sessions during the day.
“The animals don’t live here at the mall,” she said. “If they don’t want to come here that day, I don’t force them. They have their getaway areas, and they know when they need a break.”
Inside the storefront, visitors can see signs reminding guests to respect the animals’ space. Kocon says the facility is inspected by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and that the business’s permits hang right in the lobby.
Under Florida law, businesses are allowed to exhibit exotic animals as long as they have the proper state permits and meet housing and safety requirements. The city of Fort Myers and FWC say the business has all the paperwork. But even though it’s legal, not everyone agrees it’s right.
Animal advocacy group PETA says mall-based animal encounters like this are stressful and unsafe for the animals involved.
“There are plenty of ways to educate people on how amazing animals can be without keeping them confined in shopping malls,” said Cydnee Bence, with PETA’s Captive Animal Law Enforcement Division. “Animals are not playground equipment. They’re subjected to bright lights, loud noises, and constant handling, which can cause stress and injuries.”
The new attraction has sparked plenty of discussion. Some shoppers are excited to see it. Others are uneasy.
“I’m not for it at all,” said Fort Myers resident Mark Matlock. “They’re exotic animals. They shouldn’t be allowed.”
But others say they see no harm in it.
“It sounds pretty cool,” said Ricky Baker, another Fort Myers resident. “My grandson’s visiting in February, and I’ll take him there.”
Kocon says she understands the criticism but hopes people will see the operation firsthand before judging.
“I like seeing people’s faces when they leave,” she said. “They walk away with a new respect for the animals.”
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