Frenchman Turns YouTuber to Support 400 Exotic Animals, Including Alligators
Philippe Gillet, a 72-year-old herpetologist, raises awareness about reptiles and amphibians while funding his menagerie through social media content.
- Philippe Gillet, a 72-year-old herpetologist in western France, lives with 400 exotic animals, including alligators, venomous snakes, and tarantulas, in his suburban home.
- Gillet began creating social media content after the pandemic halted his association's public animal exhibitions, which previously generated €100,000 annually.
- His YouTube and TikTok channels now boast 200,000 and 700,000 followers, respectively, helping fund the care of his animals and promote education about wildlife.
- Gillet aims to establish a specialized refuge for reptiles, raising over €15,000 so far, to provide a more suitable environment for the animals as he plans for their future care.
- The animals, many of which were rescued or surrendered, are kept to prevent ecological risks, such as invasive species spreading due to climate change.
Sud Ouest 