The 24 best places to go in 2024

Reptile Zoo Owner With Cancer Says He Won't Live To See Dream Aquarium Open: 'I Don't Have Long'

A man known for his love of reptiles and wildlife recently posted an emotional video to his "Reptile Army" to say he was entering hospice care.

Brian Barczyk, who also founded The Reptarium, a Michigan reptile zoo, shared the difficult news with his millions of followers on Friday in a YouTube video titled "This Is Goodbye."

"This last year has been difficult with my cancer and with the ups and downs of treatment and feeling sick," said Barczyk, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer last March. "Unfortunately, you guys are not going to see me in the future because tomorrow, I go into hospice, which means I don't have long to go after that."

He went on to say that he wanted to be present for the opening of the LegaSea Aquarium, which is slated to open early this year, but that no longer seemed possible. "I'm not going to even be there to see it done now," he said.

Brian Barczyk.

Jay Tomsky

But he told his followers, "don't worry about me."

"When I'm gone, I'm going to spend eternity in heaven to be able to look down on the [LegaSea] and I'm going to be able to look down on my family and everyone who I love," he added. "I'm the lucky one."

In the comments section of the video, which has nearly 2 million views as of Wednesday, thousands of fans chimed in to share how much watching Barczyk's videos has meant to them over the years.  "I'm sobbing rn. Thank you, Brian for all that you've done," wrote one commenter. "I love you, man. You're an inspiration to us all." 

"This one hurts, been watching Brian since I was like 10 and I'm 24 now," added another. "Seeing his love and passion for animals was refreshing. I'm glad he became as successful as he did doing what he loved. Such a genuine and loving human being. Definitely a legend in the animal world." 

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Barczyk has over 5 million subscribers on YouTube and decades of experience "breeding and working with over 30,000 snakes," according to a Discovery Channel press description for the series Venom Hunters, which he appeared in.

He's also the owner of The Reptarium, which opened in 2018 and houses such creatures as snakes, lizards, alligators, and tortoises.

Brian Barczyk.

Jay Tomsky

In a statement shared with PEOPLE Wednesday, The Reptarium honored its founder, saying he's "made an indelible impact by transforming fear into fascination."

"Diagnosed with inoperable stage 4 Pancreatic Cancer less than a year ago, he has bravely shared his daily battle on his YouTube vlog, drawing his audience into not just his struggles, but also his unyielding passion for wildlife," they wrote.

"Brian's life is guided by a simple yet powerful belief: 'The only thing that matters, is being good to people.' This philosophy was evident in everything he did - from his daily vlogs to his business ventures, each aimed at fostering a community of animal lovers and conservationists. His legacy will go on to serve as a testament to his love for wildlife, his innovative approach to education and engagement, and his commitment to changing perceptions about reptiles and other animals," they added.

The Repatarium also said in its statement that Barczyk, who has been married to his wife Lori for over 30 years, both of whom share two children, "is currently at home, comfortable and surrounded by his loved ones."

Brian Barczyk.

Jay Tomsky

In a Facebook post, the reptile zoo shared that it's been Barczyk's "dream" to open the LegaSea aquarium. The ambitious project will be a 30,000-square-foot interactive indoor aquarium and zoo that is slated to open sometime in the early part of this year, according to The Reptarium. The new facility will also feature a special reminder of Barczyk: his handprints as a "poignant tribute inviting visitors to connect with his enduring mission."

"Thanks to Brian's resilience and dedication, we are now just around two months away from the grand opening of this visionary project," they wrote over the weekend. "Brian's journey has been one of courage and inspiration, and his dream of the LegaSea Aquarium stands as a testament to his passion and perseverance.

"Thank you for sharing your passion and dream with all of us Brian. You are a true inspiration," one fan wrote in response to the reptile zoo's Jan. 6 Facebook update about Barczyk, while another shared that they hoped he would still be able to "be there on the grand opening of the legacy."

Brian Barczyk.

Jay Tomsky

As his video came to a close, Barczyk reflected on his legacy, saying that he hoped he "inspired you guys."

"Cancer won't have me anymore," he remarked. "It wasn't because I gave up. I didn't give up. I was just ready...But my battle is over and in the next few days I'll be free of pain, I'll be free of cancer, and I'll be happy and I'll be in the most blissful place you can ever imagine."

"I just wanted to come to you and say goodbye, tell you that I love you guys so much," he added. "The LegaSea aquarium would never be a reality without you. I pray that for generations to come, people will be coming in and their kids and their teenagers will love this place."

Columbus Zoo Closes Early Thursday Due To Intermittent Power Outages

Your browser is not supporteddispatch.Com

dispatch.Com wants to ensure the best experience for all of our readers, so we built our site to take advantage of the latest technology, making it faster and easier to use.

Unfortunately, your browser is not supported. Please download one of these browsers for the best experience on dispatch.Com

Columbus Zoo & Aquarium To Reopen Friday After Power Outage Shuts Down Facility

COLUMBUS — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is scheduled to reopen Friday after a power outage Thursday forced the location to close.

>> What to know to protect your home in extreme cold weather

Entrances are set to open at 10 a.M.

Intermittent power outages were blamed for causing the zoo and aquarium to shut down at noon.

"The safety of our guests, staff, and animals is our top priority. . . . Thanks for understanding."

Our news partners at 10tv.Com (WBNS) reported that Ohio Department of Transportation cameras recorded fire and rescue crews responding to a crash near the zoo at Glick Road and state Route 257. ODOT said Route 257 was closed in both directions.

It was not clear whether the crash was connected to the power outage, 10tv.Com reported.

©2024 Cox Media Group

---