A CELEBRITY wildlife expert has avoided going to prison despite admitting he kept his exotic animals in “unspeakable” conditions.

Stephen Rowlands, who runs Tropical Inc and has appeared on ITV’s Alan Titchmarsh Show showing off his exotic creatures, was handed a 12-week jail sentence, suspended for two years after being found guilt of 34 counts of not providing a variety of animals with a suitable habitat.

Nick Sutton, prosecuting for the RSPCA, told Worcester Magistrates Court how a police raid on Rowlands’ premises in Dunhampton, near Droitwich, in January revealed 74 animals were left in four cramped rooms, covered with excrement and without electricity, light and food.

Some of the animals, included meerkats, parrots, monkeys, turtles, owls, snakes and an armadillo.

Mr Sutton said the veterinary fees and boarding costs incurred by the RSPCA reached a total of £168,038.04. 

Tropical Inc’s website says it offers parties and educations talks on exotic animals.

Mr Sutton said: “The society’s view is this is a commercial business.

“The animals are the stock and trade of this business – it’s open to be seen.”

Dominic Benthall, defending, said Rowlands has since taken steps to improve the animals’ accommodation as well as employing a veterinary nurse, part-time carer and cleaner and students to help his work.

Mr Benthall said: “If it was just a business he would fewer animals.”

Deputy district judge Nalla Lawrence said the conditions the animals had been kept in were “unspeakable” but he felt disqualification from owning animals was a “step too far” due to the “tremendous progress” Rowlands had made since the raid.

This was even though he acknowledged the animals had “suffered a great deal” in prolonged neglect.

Mr Lawrence said: “He has learnt his lesson. This prosecution has prompted him to wake up.”

“I find if I return these animals to him he may not be able to care for them to the standard that he would want to, so I am not going to return them.”

Rowlands was forced to forfeit seven animals under the charges brought by the Crown Prosecution Service relating to endangered species regulations, while the deprivation order will see a further 36 removed from his care.

The 32-year-old was ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work as well as paying legal costs of £6,100, further costs of £100 and an £80 victim surcharge.

He was also ordered to pay £100,000 towards the animal’s boarding and veterinary costs.