The Vancouver Art Gallery is retooling part of a controversial exhibit that puts together living insects and reptiles as a representation of society.

The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) had objected to part of an exhibit by Chinese-born artist Huang Yong Ping.

In the sculpture Theatre of the World, various creatures are posed under bright lights and mesh shaped to look like a turtle shell, while a wood skeleton of a python slithers its way across the ceiling overhead.

The Paris-based artist, enjoying a huge retrospective in the Vancouver show, calls it a mirror of society's conflicts.

But the SPCA says the exhibit is causing distress to the animals. It initially called for the exhibit to be shut down.

The gallery is co-operating with the SPCA and a veterinarian called in to assess the exhibit.

Steps already have been taken to add water bowls and change the lighting in the animals' terrarium.

A veterinarian also recommended providing a safe place to which the creatures can retreat.

The exhibit at the Vancouver Art Gallery will remain open as curators work to put cruelty accusations to rest.